PCoI on Political Victimisation Yahapalana wanted to Thursday 18 JUNE 2020 deprive Rajapaksas’ Latest Edition civic rights Vol: 09/169 Price : Rs 30.00 – Wijeyadasa In Sports By Pahan Wijesekara Former Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa World’s fastest man Rajapakshe, yesterday (17), receives provisional revealed that a proposal had been presented, to the cabinet of the suspension Yahapalana regime, seeking to The world’s fastest man in 2019, 100m appoint a Criminal Justice World Champion Christian Coleman, has Commission and to bring in an received a provisional suspension due to article to deprive the whereabouts violation, Athletics Integrity Rajapaksas of their civic rights Unit (AIU) confirmed on Wednesday. over the Avant Garde deal. A16

Story Continued on page 10 Three-member After being chastised by President committee to probe finance bodies A three-member committee has been appointed to inquire into the illegal activities of finance leasing businesses and unauthorised financial bodies. CBSL Woken Up The committee is chaired by the Director General of Legal Affairs of the Presidential Secretariat, Attorney-at-Law Harigupta Rohanadeera and the Director of the Legal and Compliance Department of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL), K.G. Sirikumara and Director of the Department of Supervision of Non-Bank Financial Institutions of from Slumber CBSL, J.P. Gamlath will also serve as the members of the said Committee, stated the President’s Media Division in a Media release issued in this regard Makes available Rs 265 B to yesterday (17). Story Continued on page 2 commercial banks Increases lending to businesses, households at low cost Construction sector able to borrow from banks

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL), In a decision made late Tuesday night, which appeared to be in a deep slumber following a meeting with President Failure to toe Govt line for several months, has finally woken Gotabaya Rajapaksa, attended by CBSL up and has come up with a number of Governor and officials at the measures to provide relief to the public Presidential Secretariat, the Monetary President who have been plunged into dire Board of the CBSL decided to make financial straits due to the COVID-19 available a total of Rs 265 billion, to pandemic, but only after being severely businesses affected by the COVID-19 summons Dept chastised by the President. pandemic. Heads Story Continued on page 2 By W.K. Prasad Manju Mahendran, Punchihewa President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has decided to SL’s first-ever underwater charged with Rs 52 B fraud summon a few more officers from State Departments and Corporations, who are not ready to toe the line of the Government, a senior official at the museum opens in Galle Court orders Presidential Secretariat said. CID to Story Continued on page 2 enforce arrest Easter Bombings probe nears completion warrants By Kavindya Perera Evidence good Colombo Fort Chief Magistrate, Ranga Dissanayaka yesterday to indict (17), ordered the CID to enforce the arrest warrants against 237 accused former Central Bank By Thameenah Razeek Governor Arjuna Mahendran and Investigation into the 21 April 2019 Easter Sunday primary dealer bombings has reached its last phase with its main Sri Lanka’s first-ever underwater museum off the Perpetual Treasuries suspects likely to be arrested very shortly, the Police shores of Galle was open to the public. Limited (PTL) Director Board Member said yesterday (17). The main aim of this museum is to promote the Ajahn Gardiya Punchihewa, in Police Media Spokesperson, SP Jaliya Senaratne, regeneration of corals and to promote fish breeding. connection with the incident where the said at a Media briefing at Police Headquarters This underwater museum is located about 50 feet duo have been charged with the yesterday that around 237 suspects were arrested in underwater and is designed for ease of viewing by misappropriation of a sum of Rs 52 connection with the bombings. The Police anyone who can swim and dive. The entire collection billion in Government Bonds, at two Department is preparing to file cases against them. of artefacts and sculptures which have been placed auctions by the Central Bank of Sri there are made out of cement and eco-friendly Lanka, four years ago. Story Continued on page 2 materials by Navy personnel. Story Continued on page 2 Story Continued on page 2 Tailing Sirisena’s, Gotabaya’s probable killers Citing insufficient time Demise of Rev. Fr. Ernest Poruthota DIG Nalaka Silva to cover syllabus Void cannot JVP urges ordered to be filled in submit signature AL exam to be By Kavindya Perera foreseeable Colombo Fort Chief Magistrate Ranga postponed Dissanayaka yesterday ordered former DIG of Police Smuggling drugs into Nalaka Silva to furnish a customary signature of his The JVP requested the future Welikada Prison to the CID, in connection with the phone Government and the conversation aimed at killing former President Ministry of Education to – President Maithripsala Sirisena and former Defence Secretary postpone holding the Sixty-year-old Gotabaya Rajapaksa. General Certificate of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa Education Advanced Level yesterday (17), said he was deeply woman jailed Story Continued on page 2 (GCE A/L) Examination saddened by the demise of Rev. Fr. until the end of November Ernest Poruthota. 2020, giving students Issuing a Press communiqué, he said: for life ETI Finance collapse sufficient time to cover the “The efforts made by him to enlighten By Hansi Nanayakkara syllabus. the public with the fundamentals of Member of the JVP Jesus Christ’s doctrines using several Colombo High Court Judge, Pradeepa CID grills two top Politburo, Wasantha Samarasinghe, mediums will always remain in Hettiarachchi yesterday (17), convicted a addressing a Party Media briefing yesterday literature as well as in Catholic history. 60-year-old woman on charges of CBSL Officers (17), said it was unfair to expose students to He was a writer and film critic. His attempting to smuggle 3.6 grams of competitive Examinations in such a hasty contribution towards the development of heroin to the Welikada Prison seven manner as they have not been in touch with the local film industry and by evaluating years ago, and sentenced her to life for second day the curriculum over the past four months. and recognising cinematic products... imprisonment. By Chamara Amarasuriya Story Continued on page 2 Story Continued on page 2 Story Continued on page 2 Story Continued on page 2 A2 THURSDAY 18 JUNE 2020 NEWS Japanese Undergraduate, Post-Graduate Schols for Lankan Students BY PANEETHA AMERESEKERE scheme 2021, in the categories of conducted jointly by the Embassy and educational institutions are eligible to apply. An applicant can apply for one ‘Postgraduate Research’ and the Higher Education Ministry. apply. scheme only. The Japanese Government will award ‘Undergraduate and College of For the Postgraduate Research For the Undergraduate/College of Prospective candidates are requested scholarships to Sri Lankan students Technology’, the Japanese Embassy in Programme, those who have completed Technology Programmes, those who to forward their applications to the under the Monbukagakusho (Ministry Colombo said on 16 June. 16 years of school education with the have passed the General Certificate of Higher Education Ministry. Application of Education, Culture, Sports, Science The selection of candidates will be standard study period of three years or Education Advanced Level, only in the forms can be downloaded from the and Technology - MEXT) Scholarship done through an examination more at universities or equivalent Mathematics stream, are eligible to website of the Ministry.

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JVP urges... He added that the A/L Examinations can Minister of Education, Dullas be held from end November until the Alahapperuma on 9 June stated that the CBSL woken... beginning of December, following which the A/L Examinations which was due to The Monetary Board liquidity to the domestic money low cost. GCE Ordinary Level Examinations could be commence on 5 August had been postponed announced the decision to market, enabling the financial The Monetary Board will held, adding that if the A/L Examinations to 7 September and will conclude on 2 introduce new credit schemes system to expedite credit flows continue to monitor economic are held on 7 September, it would cause October. under the Section 83 of the to the economy. and financial market immense mental pressure to students. (FT) Monetary Law Act No. 58 of In addition, the construction developments and will take 1949, thereby providing sector enterprises will be further policy and regulatory funding to commercial Banks at provided with a facility to measures to support a the concessionary rate of 1.00 borrow from commercial banks, sustained revival of economic per cent against the pledge of a using guarantees issued by the activity in the period ahead. DIG Nalaka... broad spectrum of collateral, on Government equivalent to the The question however is why the condition that the banks amount due on account of did CBSL officers have to wait He gave this order following a request made was his, he had refused to comply. Hence, the should pass on these benefits contracts carried out in the until being lambasted by the by the CID when the case was taken up in CID urged Magistrate Dissanayaka to order through increased low-cost past, under a new dedicated President, in order to provide Court yesterday. Inspector of Police Iqbal Silva to place his customary signature in the lending to domestic businesses. credit scheme funded by the relief to the public who are appearing for the CID told Court that the presence of Iqbal. Taking the submissions This scheme, including the CBSL and made available at the affected by the COVID-19 suspect while serving at the Terrorism into consideration, the Court issued an order existing refinance scheme of Rs aforementioned concessionary pandemic. Investigation Division had placed his to Silva to place his customary signature in 50 billion, is expected to inject rates. The fact that the Monetary signature for various documents and that the presence of Iqbal in keeping with a total of Rs 150 billion The Monetary Board Board was able to come up with when they had requested him to place a provisions contained in Section 123 of the additional liquidity to the announced that operating these relief measures within a customary signature of his to verify whether it Code of Criminal Procedure. commercial banks, which will instructions on these new matter of a few hours was in turn on-lend to domestic credit schemes will be issued in equally surprising. businesses at 4.00 per cent. immediate due course. The question that arises from The Board also announced The Board asserted that the this scenario is whether it was the decision to reduce the financial sector is expected to sheer lethargy that prevented CID grills... Statutory Reserve Ratio (SRR) pass the benefit of the high the CBSL from coming up with applicable on all rupee deposit level of liquidity and the these measures or whether BY CHAMARA AMARASURIYA scores of depositors in peril. liabilities of licensed reduced cost of funds to the something else had influenced After being noticed to appear at the CID commercial banks, which will economy without delay, by them to fail so spectacularly in Sleuths from the CID grilled two top officers office, the duo had been present at the CID result in injecting around Rs increasing lending to the wake of the coronavirus from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) for last evening. 115 billion of additional businesses and households at pandemic? a second consecutive day, in connection with Around 2,500 depositors who are owed the misappropriation of funds and the around Rs 20 billion have sued the firm. The collapse of the ETI Finance Limited Company. CBSL which has taken over ETI Finance, The two top officers who were interrogated arranged for the sale of the Company’s assets were Senior Deputy Governor Dr. P. Nandalal to an investor who was expected to raise the Sixty-year-old... Void cannot... Weerasingha and Deputy Governor H.A. cash. Last year, the CBSL said the assets of Karunaratna. the Directors of ETI Finance were being sold The woman who was in remand prison was ...will last for long in proposal for the The officers from the CID had questioned to repay depositors with 20 per cent of thus convicted. The lawyer representing the the history of the local localisation of the two till late into the night from 6 p.m. on deposits paid at that time by selling the failed suspect pleaded the Court to impose a cinema industry. The Christianity. 15 June as to why the CBSL had failed to finance Company’s subsidiaries and lenient punishment on her on account of her SIGNIS Awards (Sri “His love for Sinhala regulate the ETI Finance Company, putting investment properties. age. Lanka) was founded language, literature and Judge Hettiarachchi said as the under his guidance and our unique identity was prosecution had proved the charges filed he paved the way forward exemplary and he took it against the accused beyond reasonable for novice artists and as a personal duty to doubt, he was imposing the sentence on her critics via the Catholic preserve and deliver it for SL’s first-ever... after a lengthy trial. Organisaion for Cinema future generations. The Evidence good... The woman in question, remanded on 30 and Audiovisual (OCIC void he left behind in the Police said that they have enough evidence This museum was built under the August 2013 on an order of the Maligakanda Sri Lanka). Catholic community, to file charges against a doctor attached to close supervision of the Navy Chief Magistrate’s Court, was arrested while “We remember with local cinema and in the the Colombo National Hospital who was Commander, Vice Admiral Piyal De attempting to smuggle 3.6 grams of heroin in gratefulness that it was society itself cannot be questioned recently at the Presidential Silva upon a proposal by Prime 216 plastic packets concealed in her genital he who activated the filled for the foreseeable Commission of Inquiry investigating the Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. The area to the Prison. Vatican Council’s future.” Easter Sunday attacks regarding meeting the construction work was carried out mastermind of the Easter Sunday carnage utilising the manpower of the Navy. Zahran Hashim in December 2018. The Navy Commander, who is a veteran About 26 suspects were arrested by the in diving, opened the museum and Colombo Crimes Division, out of which five expressed his gratitude to Commander Three-member... President summons... have been remanded while eight are under - Southern Naval Area, Rear Admiral detention orders. Police said the Criminal Kassapa Paul and other officers and The panel is tasked with conducting an industry- He added the President would seek their views as Investigation Department arrested 67 sailors of the Command for their wide study on issues related to unregulated to why they oppose the advice and instructions suspects, out of which 35 are remanded and involvement in the construction of this operators in the finance business and finance given to them by the present administration and 32 are under detention orders. The Terrorism mega project. leasing business and issues pertaining to conduct their activities in such a manner. Investigation Division has 63 suspects under (ER) unacceptable practices in the regulated The representative from the Secretariat said that detention orders while 16 were arrested. establishments carrying out finance business and already a spate of complaints had been received by Senaratne said that they had received finance leasing business. They are also required to the President’s Secretary regarding a growing information regarding some suspects that submit proposals on measures that can be number of State institutions that are guilty of have fled the country. He also pointed out introduced to manage the issues identified. dereliction of their duty by the people. that a suspect who serves as a lawyer has Court orders... Directing a letter addressed to Rohanadeera on He noted that President Rajapaksa’s attention also been arrested. 16 June, CBSL Governor Emeritus Professor W.D. has been drawn to such institutions who shirk Senaratne also disclosed that funds for He also ordered the other suspects in Lakshman had appealed to him to preside over this their service by the public, either intentionally or carrying out bombings and the training of the case, former parliamentarian Ravi committee and to obtain the assistance of suitable unintentionally. bombers were transferred through Karunanayake, Director of PTL Arjun professionals and industry experts in this regard. The officer from the Secretariat added already internationally banned institutions. “We Aloysius and five others, to be present at Prof. Lakshman had also called for a report on the that they were conducting a programme to identify have more than enough evidence to file any Court including the Court of Appeal matter within two weeks. all State institutions that have failed to efficiently charges against all those arrestees even when noticed. Prof. Lakshman, in his letter, noted that certain perform their duty by the people on the advice of though some have been released on bail,” He gave these orders when the said unfortunate developments in the field of the the President. Senaratne noted. case was taken up at the Colombo Fort finance business and finance leasing business He said the President would shortly summon When queried as to whether the Chief Magistrate’s Court. The suspects have caused a significant impact on the well-being heads of such institutions to seek their views in investigation revealed the use of any bio in the case also include PTL Chief of society as well as the stability of the financial this regard and affirmed that those who shirk their weapons, Senaratne said that no evidence or Executive Officer Kasun Palisena, its system. service would be taken to task by the President. information was revealed to that effect. Chairman Geoffrey Joseph Aloysius, its Directors Chitta Ranjan Hulugalla, Former Officer of the State Loan Department S. Pathumanathan and an Officer from the Employees Provident Fund Department Indika Saman Kumara. The suspects led by Karunanayake had filed a Writ Petition in the Court of Appeal, saying that the warrants that had been issued against them by the Colombo Fort Chief Magistrate’s Court had been contrary to the law and to take up their writ petition for hearing and to issue an injunction against the warrants being activated by the Colombo Fort Chief Magistrate’s Court till the case is heard by the Court of Appeal. News THURSDAY 18 JUNE 2020 A3 Jeevan elected CWC General Health authorities in Northern Province Secretary, Sivaraja Vice President face dilemma By Sulochana Ramiah Mohan Nuwara Eliya District. At the same meeting, General Election, the CWC will convene a Sivaraja was elected Vice President of the conference to elect the President, Vice By Dilanthi persons with burn injuries Jeevan Thondaman, son of the late CWC. President, Assistant Secretaries, and other Jayamanne and cases of insecticide Arumugam Thondaman, Ceylon Workers The late Minister A. Thondaman’s recent positions. poisoning. What these Congress (CWC) Leader, was unanimously demise created vacuum in the CWC Former Central Province Minister Health authorities of the people want to know is elected as the General Secretary of the Party leadership that is yet to be filled. Maruthapandi Rameshwaran, Central Northern Province – why such a decision was yesterday (17) at the CWC’s Kotagala Sivaraja told Ceylon Today that with the Provincial Councilor Ganapathy Kanagaraj especially in Kilinochchi taken without even Labour Foundation. He succeeded Anushiya concurrence of the CWC’s 825 strong trade and former Parliamentarian P. Rajadurai are faced with a dilemma discussing the matter with Sivaraja in the post. union delegation and their representatives, noted that that they have unanimously following the decision them, they noted. Barrister, Jeevan Thondaman who the National Council and the Executive elected the new CWC General Secretary and taken by the Ministry of Further, there is an previously held the position of the Leader of Council of the CWC, unanimously elected that there was no dispute regarding the Health to convert the effort to shift the said the CWC’s Youth Wing is also the Sri Lanka J. Thondaman. selection as they treat the CWC and its Akkarayan Divisional Divisional Hospital’s Podujana Peramuna Candidate for the According to Sivaraja, after the 5 August members as one family. Hospital into a Hospital to services to Skanthapuram treat COVID-19 patients. which reportedly has Informed sources said issues regarding yesterday (17) that health sanitation and water authorities in the area facilities. It has only a hall Run-up to August 2015 General Election have now been forced to go in which OPD services ahead with orders amidst could be conducted. – Sufi Muslim strong protest from the Patients in Akkarayan Candidates signed Agreements with Zahran public. would have to travel to the By Buddhika Samaraweera views of Tawheed Jamaath, Tablighi also said. The public in the District General Hospital Jamaath and Jamaat-e-Islam are those who When the Commission questioned whether surrounding area demand in Kilinochchi for their A number of candidates representing practise Wahhabism. He said that over the Zahran was conducting teachings on to know why the Ministry clinics under the several main political parties, including the years, certain persons like Zahran, who have extremism at that time, the witness said that and the National Task circumstances. Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) and the been practising Wahhabism, have mistreated Zahran had begun such since 2016. Force to Prevent COVID-19 Akkarayan is situated in United National Party (UNP)-led National traditional Muslims and that since 2014, “In 2009, Zahran left for Japan and came which claim that the Virus a very remote area, far Front for Good Governance (NFGG) signed about 11 complaints have been lodged with back in a few months. In 2011, he, along has been controlled, want from the A9 Road, with agreements with National Tawheed Jamaath the Police in this regard, but that none of with some of his friends founded the NTJ to oust the patients that poor transport facilities. (NTJ) Leader, Zahran Hashim, in the run-up them were properly investigated. organisation,” he added, and mentioned that depend on the Divisional Although it is a to the General Election of August 2015, “A case was also filed in the Batticaloa a mosque belonging to the NTJ organisation Hospital, and to convert it Divisional Hospital and is alleged Secretary of an organisation of Sufi Magistrate’s Court of which the proceedings has been set up in Kattankudy. into a COVID-19 Hospital, categorised as a third level Muslims in the Kattankudy area, were temporarily halted in December 2014,” Responding to a question raised by with such urgency. “Are Hospital, its services are Mohammed Zahilan. he added. Members of the Commission also members of the Commission as to whether they preparing for a superior to that of the He added that in 2017, his organisation inquired from him about Zahran. The approval should be obtained from the second wave of COVID-19 Mulankavil Base Hospital, had given a letter to then President witness said that Zahran was of the mindset relevant institutions for the construction of a after the General Election? which is still under Maithripala Sirisena regarding Zahran’s of Wahhabism from the time he commenced religious place, he said that such regulations Do they fail to see that this developed in terms of activities, but no action had been taken in education. As a result, he was expelled from however, were not practically implemented. particular Hospital is the human resources and that regard. Zahilan was testifying before the a school in Kattankudy where he had He also noted that various individuals and only health care facility infrastructure facilities. Presidential Commission of Inquiry studied, he said. institutions without registration were that the poor people in the Health authorities of the appointed to probe the 21 April 2019 Easter Zahilan added, “Then, on the advice of a establishing mosques. area have?,” several Kilinochchi District when Sunday bombings. person named Naufar Moulavi, Zahran He also stated that there were only three intellectuals in the contacted said that they According to him, M.S. Shafi Sally of the entered an Arabic school in Kurunegala in mosques belonging to the traditional Muslim Kilinochchi area queried. had no other option but to Democratic Party, M.F.M. Sibley Farooq of 2005. It is a school that teaches Wahhabism. community in Kattankudy town and 10 to 15 Medical sources said carry out the orders of the the SLMC, M.L.A.M. Hizbullah of the UPFA, He returned to Kattankudy between 2007 mosques which are operating based on that this Divisional Ministry. The Office of the A.L.M. Ruby of the UNP and M. Abdul and 2008 after completing his studies there. Wahhabism. Hospital provided services Regional Director of Health Rahuman of the NFGG had thus agreed to He later joined an institution called the “In 2013, the NTJ Organisation published to 15,000 poor families. Services (RDHS) was the terms of Zahran by getting into Islamic Centre”, He also said that it was an a magazine called ‘Tawheed’. Through this, Daily, it receives 150 crowded with people from agreements with him. institution which promoted Wahhabism. Zahran came to criticise the religious patients at its out-patient the village even yesterday. Zahilan, however, said that Zahran was “Later, he also conducted teachings at practices of traditional Muslims,” he said. department (OPD) and The RDHS had pledged to actively supporting the SLMC during the mosques and promoted Wahhabism. Zahran The Commission also observed that attends on average to over address the matter to the General Election. He also presented a copy of left the Islamic Centre in 2008 and started a politicians such as Alavi Moulana, who 900 clinical patients on a Director General of Health the document sent to these candidates by religious association with some of his friends. appeared on behalf of traditional Muslims, daily basis. It also provides Services through the Zahran. Zahran’s friends still run that institution and had also been criticised through the said first aid, treatment to Provincial Director of He also noted that those who hold the there is one mosque belonging to it too,” he magazine. asthmatic patients, Health Services. A4 thursday 18 june 2020 news

Charges filed for failure to prevent 21 April 2019 Easter Sunday blasts To empower regional health service WB releases US$ 15M Initial probe concluded To revive and strengthen 63 hospitals and medical institutions nationwide By Kavindya Perera He made this submission appeared for the prosecution, actions. The CID had when the said case was while Peiris appeared on previously informed that Senior health specialist release this sum due to most Deputy Solicitor General, taken up at the Colombo behalf of the AG. they had named Fernando attached to the World Bank of the targets set by the WB Dileepa Peiris yesterday (17) Chief Magistrate’s Court. He The CID has charged and Jayasundara as (WB), Dr. Deepika Attygalle having been achieved by the informed Colombo Additional then told Liyanage that two Fernando and Jayasundara, suspects in the case after the stated that the World Bank project. Magistrate, Priyantha case abstracts pertaining to at the Colombo Chief Attorney General had (WB) has decided to release a In order to look into how Liyanage that the initial the investigations has also Magistrate’s Court, over their advised them to do so, based sum of US$ 15 million, the said programme is being probe conducted into been sent to the perusal of failure to prevent the deaths on recommendations towards the programme to implemented; an inspection charges filed against former Attorney General (AG) of over 250 persons who lost contained in an interim empower the regional health team from the WB recently Defence Secretary, Hemasiri Dappula De Livera. their lives due to the Easter report compiled by the service project affiliated to visited Colombo. Fernando and former IGP, The two accused Fernando Sunday carnage and of being Presidential Commission of the Ministry of Health. As per this project, during Pujith Jayasundara, over and Jayasundara, who are complicit to murder, as well Inquiry which probed last She stated this during the the course of 2020, it aims to their failure to prevent the 21 presently out on bail, were as flouting provisions in year’s Easter Sunday monthly review meeting of revive and strengthen 63 April 2019 Easter Sunday present in Court. Chief Sections 250, 296, 298, 327, carnage. the project held recently. hospitals and medical blasts and complicity to Inspector of Police of the CID 328, 329 and 410 of the The case was subsequently Dr. Attygalle pointed out institutions situated murder, has been concluded. Ravindra Wimalasiri Penal Code through their postponed to 23 September. that the WB had decided to nationwide.

Court issues Forging President’s signature 156 Indians repatriated on special flight Suspect further Notice on Hirunika By Hansi Nanayakkara

remanded Colombo High Court Judge Champa Rajaratna By Kavindya Perera yesterday (17) issued notice on former Parliamentarian Hirunika Premachandra to Colombo Fort Chief Magistrate, Ranga appear before Court on 10 July, with regard to the Dissanayaka yesterday (17) ordered the case on the alleged abduction of a youth from suspect who has been incarcerated on Dematagoda, five years ago. charges of forging the President’s signature When the case was taken up, Premachandra and and compiling bogus documents under a her lawyers had failed to appear for the hearing. forged letterhead of the Presidential Judge Rajaratna ordered to issue and serve Secretariat, to be further imprisoned till 1 notice to Premachandra within the course of the July. day. The remanded suspect was identified as On 21 December 2015, a 35-year-old man, Prasanna Aruna Kumara, a resident of Amila Priyantha, who was working at a textile Yanthampalawa in the Kurunegala shop in Dematagoda was abducted in the Baseline District. When the case was taken up, the Road area in Dematagoda and allegedly assaulted suspect was not produced in Court while by a group of individuals who had arrived in a the Criminal Investigation Department Land Rover Defender which was said to be owned (CID) appeared in Court for the by Premachandra. prosecution. A group of 156 Indian nationals stranded in Sri Lanka were repatriated on a special Air India The victim was identified as a resident of The CID informed that a forged letter (AI1202) flight from Colombo to Kochi and Bengaluru on 15 June. The next special flight from Kolonnawa. containing the forged signature of Sri Lanka, Air India AI0282 from Colombo to Delhi-Lucknow-Gaya is scheduled on 22 June Nine, including Premachandra were indicted at President Gotabaya Rajapaksa under the the Colombo High Court by the Attorney General caption of ‘Reinstatement of an Interdicted over the abduction. When the case was taken up Officer’ on a letterhead belonging to the previously at the High Court, the Attorney on Presidential Secretariat had been received behalf of Premachandra had informed that based by the Chairman of the Bank of Ceylon on provisions contained in Section 306 (2) of the (BOC) on or before 28 May. The CID said 8,000 flee COVID-19 and return Code of Criminal Procedure, his client was willing that a person had arrived at the office of By Shiran Ranasingha looking to return home due to the spread to make submissions to the Attorney General, to the BOC Chairman to discuss the contents of COVID-19, have already been brought settle the case without either pleading guilty to the of the forged letter and after suspicions Admiral Jayanath Colombage, back to Colombo. charges filed against her or accepting any had been raised regarding this person, he Additional Secretary, to President Colombage added that as many as punishment. However, the suspects excluding had been handed over to the Anti- Gotabaya Rajapaksa, on Foreign 6,000 more Sri Lankans might be flown Premachandra later admitted before the High Corruption Unit of the Police Department. Relations, said that as many Sri down very shortly to Colombo. Court to abducting the youth and were sentenced For further inquiries, the suspect had Lankans as possible have been flown He added that plans have been made to two years rigourous imprisonment, suspended been handed over to the CID and the down from foreign countries as facilities to bring down Sri Lankans from Dubai, for 12 years. suspect was produced in Court on 4 June at quarantine centres have been Chennai and Mumbai, Madagascar, by the CID. increased. Afghanistan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and He said 7,825 Sri Lankans who were Oman. Sri Lanka

those who intend to attend Mosques, Thakkiyas and Zaviyas to jumma prayers, including their HC in Malé contact details and national identity card details. continues to conduct jumma prayers Permission to conduct jumma The Wakfs Board of Sri Lanka introduced by the Government, permission however, will be prayers, if granted, will be has granted permission to regarding limiting the number granted under several effective only during the COVID- distribute supplies mosques, thakkiyas and zaviyas of persons that can gather at a conditions. 19 pandemic and/or till further The Sri Lanka High Commission in Malé, which are not registered as religious place to 50. Furthermore, the Wakfs notice. To obtain permission, Maldives, has continued to distribute food supplies jumma mosques, to conduct In a statement issued Board instructs trustees or the trustees or persons in and essential items dispatched by the Ministry of jumma prayers. yesterday (17), Director of the persons in charge of these charge of these religious places Foreign Relations, comprising 10,000 kilogrammes This decision has been made Department of Muslim Religious religious places seeking to will have to send an application (2,000 packs) of support kits. after taking into account the and Cultural Affairs A.B.M. conduct jumma prayers to to the District Officer of the SriLankan Airlines has collaborated with the guidelines/restrictions, Ashraff said that this maintain a register of details of Department. Ministry in this cause, through carrying these support kits on a cost-free basis, on a SriLankan Airlines cargo flight to the Maldives on 7 June. The Sri Lanka Mission has commenced the distribution of the support kits to the Sri Lankan Easter Carnage community in Malé, Hulhumalé, Villingili, Maafushi, Kelaa, Thulusdhoo, Kagi, and Mabinhuraa, which are islands situated out of the NHDF to support 39 who sustained severe injuries Greater Malé area and has also distributed these among Sri Lankan crew members of the safari boats The National Health Jayewardenepura General in the Maldives. Further, arrangements have been Development Fund (NHDF) Hospital, headed by its Director. made to send support kits to Thilafushi, Gan and would help support 39 persons All expenditure for the treatment Nauru Islands and the High Commission will who sustained severe injuries in would be borne by the NHDF, he continue to distribute these essential items in the Easter Sunday Bombings, said. Greater Malé (Malé, Hulhumalé, and Villingili Health Ministry Spokesman Wanniarachchi also met with Islands). Viraj Abeysinghe said. Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith to Abeysinghe said that over 250 brief him on the measures that persons had lost their lives, had been taken. while a large number had lost Arrangements have been made their limbs in the attacks carried so that in addition to providing out on 21 April 2019, while 139 lifetime health care, those of them were still undergoing been informed by specialist Wanniarachchi has taken requiring surgeries and other treatment for injuries sustained doctors that the 39 in question urgent measures to provide types of medical care would be in the attacks. Of them, there should receive special medical special care services to the 39 enabled to receive that were 39 who needed long-term treatment. The Archbishop patients and any other needy attention. medical treatment. appealed to Health Minister persons amongst the remaining The service charges for the Abeysinghe said that Pavithra Wanniarachchi to 100 under the full supervision of Hospital would be borne by the Archbishop of Colombo, intervene in providing them with the Ministry of Health and under NHDF, Abeysinghe said. Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith had the required medical support. a special medical team of the Sri (DJ)

CAA raids poultry vendors selling at higher prices By Thameenah Razeek control price and complaints lodged not even fresh. National Movement for Consumer Government decided to terminate by consumers. The Government recently issued a Rights Protection Ranjith Vithanage importing wheat, vendors suffered The Consumer Affairs Authority Speaking about the complaints Gazette Notification imposing a claimed that vendors are selling without enough wheat to feed the (CAA) commenced raids on poultry that were received, CAA Director of control price of Rs 430 for chicken poultry at a price of Rs 650 to 700 chickens and that is the reason vendors who are selling poultry at Consumer Affairs and Information, with skin and Rs 500 for skinless per kilo. why they hiked the price,” he prices higher than the control price Asela Bandara noted that they chicken. When queried as to the reason added. that the Government has received complaints from various The CAA noted that consumers why those vendors hike the prices Vithanage noted that the introduced. parts of the island regarding are able to lodge complaints against of poultry, Vithanage noted that Government should have The CAA has started raids after vendors selling chicken at very high poultry vendors who sell chicken at vendors and poultry owners have introduced an alternative to provide considering the Gazette Notification prices. In addition, according to the a higher price, to them directly. faced a huge issue concerning food food to chickens before they banned issued by the Government on the complaints, the chicken sold was Meanwhile, Chairman of the that is given to chickens. “After the importing wheat. news thursday 18 june 2020 A5

Wanathawilluwa TB raising its head in Jaffna and Easter Sunday – Dep Director By Naalir Jamaldeen

There has been a significant increase in the number of tuberculosis (TB) cases in the Jaffna bombs ammo similar District, Deputy Director of the Jaffna Teaching By Buddhika Samaraweera the attacks on Easter Sunday Commission queried if there is a fertiliser. The Commission also Hospital, Dr. C.S. Jamunanantha said 2019 on 16 June. need for expert knowledge to showed photographs of Easter yesterday (17). There are many similarities He said that the bombs used in manufacture bombs using the Sunday mastermind Zahran While speaking to Ceylon Today, he said so between the explosives recovered the attack on Easter Sunday had said explosive, he said that even Hashim’s brother Rilwan far, 90 tuberculosis cases have been identified from Lacktowattha in the been manufactured using an the Internet contains information Hashim, who had been treated in the District and predicted that nearly 20 of Wanathawilluwa area in January explosive named urea nitrate. on how to manufacture such at the Colombo National Hospital those cases might have mingled with society 2019, and the explosives used in Weliange also said there was no bombs. in August 2018 due to injuries without knowing that they may have been the bombings on 21 April 2019 evidence that it had been used in Responding to a query by the caused by an alleged gas infected with tuberculosis. Easter Sunday, said Retired the past to manufacture bombs Commission on whether it was cylinder explosion, and the He said that usually TB cases are detected in Government Analyst, A. in Sri Lanka and that it is a high- possible to buy raw materials for witness said that the injuries on two ways, as active and passive cases. The Weliange. He was testifying powered explosive that can do the manufacture of urea nitrate Rilwan’s body did not seem to persons who had respiratory symptoms are before the Presidential more damage than ordinary explosives, he said that urea can have been caused by such an instructed to get medical advice immediately. Commission of Inquiry probing explosives. When members of the be easily found as a form of explosion. Dr. Jamunanantha said that every six months, 120 TB cases are identified in the District. TB also has the same symptoms of COVID-19, particularly the cough and will easily spread to others, Dr. Jamunanantha noted. Semi luxury bus service Identified TB cases are being treated at hospitals and can be cured by providing continuous treatment for six months. Due to to be terminated the lack of knowledge in society, there were The Transport Ministry will take fare. According to Ministry obstacles in identifying TB cases, he added. immediate action to terminate the officials who were present at the The persons who have symptoms of cough for services of ‘semi-luxury’ buses meeting, bus owners have more than two weeks, fever in the evening from the passenger transportation repeatedly pointed out that the hours, chest pain, weight loss, loss of appetite service. income they make daily was and hemoptysis (coughing up of blood or blood- Passenger Transport extremely behind the targeted stained mucus from the airway) should go to a Management Minister Mahinda profit as they have to limit the nearby hospital immediately and get their Amaraweera said these buses only number of passengers only to phlegm checked as these are the symptoms of exploit passengers while not available seats. TB, Dr. Jamunanantha noted. providing any luxury to them. He has further said that there During a meeting with private are about 400 semi luxury buses bus owners, the Minister said the that have no luxury facility and if so-called semi luxury bus possible, arrangements should be industry has so far exploited made to allow such buses to passengers and restricted their operate only at night in certain services and were just calling the areas such as Badulla and Suspect in Negombo Only Monetary service a semi luxury one. Kataragama. The Minister also ruled out a Meanwhile, school bus and van request by private bus owners to owners have requested to grant nabbed with increase bus fares and said that them a loan of Rs 100,000 for Board can they should not attempt to do so their vehicles, just as the until the country retuned to government decided to grant a 6.13 kilos of heroin normalcy. Private bus owners loan of Rs 300,000 for private By Nabiya Vaffoor take decisions, have requested to increase buses during a discussion with average bus fare to be equivalent the President. Police Narcotic Bureau (PNB) officers, acting on information to 150% of the semi luxury bus (TR) received on 15 June night, took into custody at Kurana, Katunayaka, in the Negombo Police Division, a 45-year-old man not CBSL staff who was in possession of over 6.13 kilograms of heroin worth over Rs 60 million. The arrest was made at 9.40 p.m. – Tennakoon The man was to be produced before the Negombo Magistrate on 16 June. Police Media Spokesman, Jaliya Senaratne(SP) Catholic priest, Poruthota’s noted that they were planning to obtain a detention order for Presently Monetary Board seven days to continue further investigations. death, irreparable loss – PM Meanwhile, a haul of 6.16 kilograms of Kerala cannabis worth lacks two members over Rs 1.08 million was nabbed along with a suspect in the The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) cannot take Thuvarankulam area in the Omanthai Police Division. The arrest constructive decisions on the state of the country’s was made by Police Special Task Force officers in Cheddikulam economy, when its main governing body, the in a joint operation carried out with the Omanthai Police on 16 Monetary Board is not properly constituted, former June. The apprehended suspect, who is a 29-year-old residing in Governor of the Southern Province, Rajith Keerthi Panikka, Puliyankulam, Omanthai, was produced before the Tennakoon, said issuing a media release. Vavuniya Magistrate, yesterday (17). Presently, there are only three members serving in the Monetary Board, instead of the statutory number of five members. As the governing body, the Monetary Board is responsible for making all policy decisions related to the management, operation and administration of the CBSL, he pointed out. Tennakoon asserted that it is not the CBSL but the Monetary Board that has the responsibility to Eight arrested for proffer advice to the Government concerning the economy and related financial issues. The former Southern Province Governor also said Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa stated that the recent passing away of sand mining that the CBSL officials who had attended the Catholic priest, Ernest Poruthota was an irreparable loss. Eight suspects were arrested for engaging in illegal sand meeting convened by the President at the Issuing a message of condolence, he noted that the late priest had mining in Manal Aru, Kinniya in the Trincomalee District. Presidential Secretariat on Tuesday (16), were those rendered a helping hand to develop the local film industry and Catholic Kinniya Police said that during a raid conducted in the area on who are known to carry out the instructions that telecommunications. He was instrumental in conducting Church services 16 June, these suspects were taken into custody. During the are given to them by the Monetary Board, in in the Sinhala language since 1965 after such services had only been raid, Police seized four tipper lorries and four tractors that were accordance with the Monetary Law Act No. 58 of conducted in Latin until then, and for mixing Sinhala cultural traditions used for the transportation of illegally mined sand. 1949. with the Catholic form of worship, and also for his books on faith. He has Kinniya Police will produce the suspects before the He noted that had the President convened a been a friend of the Media and has spoken glowingly of the virtues of Trincomalee Magistrate. (NJ) meeting with officers of the Monetary Board there Buddhism. could have been far more tangible and constructive results rather than merely admonishing the CBSL officers who are only there to implement the decisions made by the Monetary Board. Tennakoon reiterated that legal power on taking decisions concerning financial issues lies firmly Police, STF officers with orders of vacation with officers of the Monetary Board. Hence, he questioned whether the Monetary Board officers would be able to proffer advice to the of post to be reinstated – Defence Ministry Government in the future, when they had been publicly humiliated by the head of the Government, The Ministry of Defence noted be less than 50 years old as at 1 should be submitted to the NPC; receipt of the order of vacation of the President himself. that officers of the Police, includ- January 2020; should undergo a as per provisions of Section 8:1 of post should be more than the He explained that the three existing members of ing the Special Task Force (STF), background check relevant to the Chapter VII of Volume One of the period absent from service calcu- the Monetary Board were Governor of the CBSL who have currently received period for which they received the Establishments Code, the salary lated as at 1 January 2020; the Prof. W.D. Lakshman, Secretary to the Ministry of orders of vacation of post, will be order of vacation of post and a step during the reinstatement of officers who have already received Finance S.R. Atigalla (officially appointed) and reinstated. medical test conducted by the officers who have received orders orders of vacation of post are appointed member Sanjeewa Jayawardena (PC). In a statement published on 16 Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of the of the vacation of post will be the urged to make arrangements to He added that the vacancies created by the June, the Defence Ministry noted Police Hospital to confirm wheth- initial salary step of the post submit their appeals, having pre- resignation of two of its former members, Nihal that the Cabinet had approved it er they are physically and men- which was held at the time of pared according to the specimen Fonseka and Dushni Fernando, have not been filled on 19 February this year, to fur- tally fit to be reinstated; during receiving the order of vacation of provided herewith, on or before 7 to date. ther strengthen law and order. the medical test, the CMO should post; and in order to consider the July 2020 either by registered Those two vacancies would have to be filled after The reinstatement process is confirm that the relevant persons entitlement to the pension of the post or by hand to the following the names recommended by the Finance Minister being carried out, taking into are not unfit to be reinstated, and officers who are reinstated, the address or by electronic mail to (Mahinda Rajapaksa) to the President, being account the appeals made by subsequent to the forwarding of previous active service period of the following address - Additional approved by the Constitutional Council, through an these Police officers. background reports and medical those officers will be taken into Secretary, Ministry of Defence appointment letter issued by the President. Accordingly, they will be rein- reports, the final decision will be account. (Law and Order Section), 14th Tennakoon noted that if according to the stated based on the recommen- taken by the Committee and the For officers who received orders Floor, Suhurupaya, President, the two CBSL officers who are dation of a three-member said decision will be final; officers of vacation of post before 1 June Battaramulla, and adlseclawl@ responsible for the country’s present economic Committee with the agreement of who will be reinstated are subject 2009, the following conditions defence.lk. mess are W.D. Lakshman and S.R. Atigalla, then the National Police Commission to a capacity building programme will be applied in addition to the The wording, “Reinstatement - the President has the power to fire them instantly. (NPC) and the Election for a period not less than one aforementioned conditions: 2020” should be mentioned on He observed that it would not be difficult even to Commission, the Ministry further month as per the directions of the should have served a minimum the top left corner of the envelope, sack Sanjeewa Jayawardena (PC), who is said to be added. Inspector General of Police (IGP), period of one year in Northern the statement read further. closely connected to the present regime. Officers who received the order and should serve a minimum and Eastern areas (within opera- Information in this regard can He has lastly asserted that merely lambasting the of vacation of post after 1 June period of three years in an area tion zones) during the service be obtained through the websites, officers of the CBSL, instead of finding fault for the 2009 are scheduled to be consid- determined by the IGP and if they period prior to the receipt of the www.defence.lk and www.police. country’s present economic mayhem with those ered for reinstatement, subject to intend to get transferred during order of vacation of post; the lk and 0112887884 during office serving at the Monetary Board, would not serve the the following conditions: should the mentioned period, an appeal active service period prior to the hours, the Ministry noted further. purpose of this Government. A6 thursday 18 june 2020 news Intelligence services Quarantine weakened since 2015 for drug Zahran could carry out activities unhindered smugglers By Buddhika Samaraweera Members of the Commission inquired as the clash in Dharga Town in 2014,” he to whether there were any changes seen added. By Shiran Ranasingha When a tense situation erupted in among the communities in the Eastern He also said that the said incident had Dharga Town, Aluthgama, in 2014, Province at the time. In response, Maj. been prevented after the conspirators had The Police Department on 15 June informed all Police National Tawheed Jamaath (NTJ) Leader, Gen. Perera pointed out that although the been summoned to his camp. I strongly stations to send all illegal drug peddlers, who are Zahran Hashim, and some others, planned environment in Kattankudy and Kinniya advised them not to do so, he said. The apprehended on charges of smuggling drugs through the to create a similar unrest in the Eastern areas had begun to become like Arabic Commission members also questioned country’s sea routes, to the respective quarantine centres. Province, retired Major General Andrew colonies, they were able to effectively quell whether it was later revealed that any of According to Police Department sources, they had taken Lal Perera, then Security Forces such activities through strong details those whom he had advised on that day this measure due to the risk of the spread of COVID-19 once Commander - East said. found out by the intelligence agencies. were involved in the bombings on Easter again among Navy and Police officers through the He added that such situations had been The witness was asked as to whether Sunday. The witness said that after the apprehension of suspects who attempt to enter the country brought under control by special there was any political support for those attack, he learned that Zahran had been through sea entrances. intelligence agencies established by then who carried out such activities, to which in that group. As per the instructions relayed by the Department, all Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Maj. Gen. Perera said that some He also pointed out that after the last suspects who are nabbed in this connection are to be sent to Gotabaya Rajapaksa. politicians acted in such a manner but the Government came into power in 2015, the nearest quarantine centre before polymerase chain Maj. Gen. Perera was giving evidence on security forces were not concerned about various factors contributed to the gradual reaction tests are conducted on them to identify whether 16 June before the Presidential those. He further said that Former weakening of the intelligence services. He they are COVID-19 positive or not. Commission of Inquiry investigating the Minister Rauff Hakeem had once said that the entire intelligence network The Department has also informed Officers-In-Charge and bombings on 21 April 2019 Easter pressurised senior officials to remove was weakened and that persons like Headquarters Inspectors to inquire from respective Sunday. some camps that had been established to Zahran were therefore able to carry out Magistrates as to how the law should be enforced against He said that Rajapaksa had established solve land issues surrounding Digawapi. their activities without any hindrance. suspects before directly taking them to Courts. two special intelligence units for the “Intelligence officials at that time had A separate programme had been put in The Department has instructed Police stations that all Eastern Province. One of them was set up uncovered that a group belonging to the place to monitor radical groups before officers engaged in the apprehension of suspects and the covering the Ampara and Batticaloa Tawheed Jamaath organisation was 2015 and if it continued, there would have taking into custody of illegally smuggled articles should be Districts and the other was in the planning to attack a temple or a Buddhist been no chance of the bombings on Easter clad in COVID-19 contracting resisting attire and to ensure Trincomalee District. monk in the Eastern Province following Sunday taking place, he also said. that all suspects and articles should be sanitised.

85 Iranians here for T56 bullets left at Boossa Deputy Chief Jailor’s doorstep Uma Oya power project Rathgama Police and A delegation of 85 construct a power project the airport, they were technicians from Iran have that will add 120 Mega directed to quarantine Prisons Dept launch probe arrived in Sri Lanka to Watts of electricity to the centres by the Army. At the complete the Uma Oya national grid before end of the quarantine By Kumudu Upul Shantha and Gunapala Multi-Purpose Development December this year. period, the group must Irathnavalli (Rathgama) Deputy Chief Jailor, when opening the front door Project. After undergoing the undergo a second round of of his house on 15 June morning, had spotted the The group arrived on 16 mandatory polymerase PCR tests before being Rathgama Police and the Prisons Department bag containing the live bullets, before he had June evening. They will chain reaction (PCR) tests at taken to the Project site. have launched joint investigations into an promptly brought it to the attention of the incident where five live T56 bullets had been left Rathgama Police Officer-in-Charge (OIC). near the front door of the residence belonging to a Afterwards, on the advice of Rathgama Police Deputy Chief Jailor attached to the Boossa OIC Prabath Vithanage, a team had been Prison. deployed to the Deputy Chief Jailor’s residence, The officers involved in the probe said that in along with sniffer dogs and fingerprint experts, the bag in which the live bullets had been, there ahead of seizing the bag of bullets. New Apps for had been placed a note mentioning the name The Deputy Chief Jailor had informed the Police Silva, referring to a Deputy Chief Jailor of the that he has had no enemies and that he is unable Boossa Prison. to figure out as to why the bullets had been COVID-19 Fund lotto According to the investigative officers, the placed in front of his house and on whose orders.

By Sulochana Ramiah Mohan tickets and the draws”. He said that they have also experienced 20 The National Lotteries Board (NLB) said per cent drop in sellers buying the lottery that they have incurred a loss of Rs 3.5 tickets from the NLB, noting however, that PTF for Archaeological million on the sale of their four lottery tickets gradually there is an increase in buyers. The between mid March to the mid April 2020 high sale of NLB tickets are in Colombo, New Year season which are the peak months Gampaha and Kandy, he added. for lottery ticket sales annually. DLB General Manager W.K.A.A. Heritage Management in EP The Development Lottery Board (DLB) Jayarathne said that they had shut down incurred a loss of sales around Rs 3.21 billion DLB operations on 18 March and resumed (Rs 3,212 million) in March, April and May during the second week of May, and that they Discussion cum planning stage has commenced 2020. are planning new strategies to boost their General Manager of the NLB, Darshana lottery sales. Wijesiriwardhana, told Ceylon Today that last Jayarathne emphasised that they are By Ruwan Laknath and antiquities, would ensure transparency in year during March and April their sale was talking to agents and distributors to get them Jayakody iii) Identifying the extent of its processes and when carrying Rs 2.38 billion. back to the sales operation and are also land that should be allocated out its tasks. The NLB halted the printing of lottery planning to hold pocket meetings with lottery The Presidential Task Force for such archaeological sites, She claimed whilst tickets on 19 March 2020 and resumed agents and sellers to resume the sales for Archaeological Heritage and to take necessary measures acknowledging the concerns, printing in the third week of May and are operation. “To strengthen the COVID-19 Management in the Eastern to allocate them properly and that there was no reason for currently printing only three lotteries. fund, we are planning to launch a new lottery Province is in the process of legally, and to people to entertain any fears “Since the COVID-19 spread scare is still which will have a special purchase feature coming up with a draft which iv) preserve the cultural value with regard to the Task Force prevailing, we have changed the strategy to which is a lottery app and we are planning to sets out how they intend to of sites of archaeological and its work. As she observed, sell the four lottery tickets of the NLB, accelerate the special sales promotions of this achieve the tasks set out in its importance and to promote the it only seeks to articulate and interchanging the dates of sales of those too,” he added. mandate. uniqueness of Sri Lanka, locally work towards a collective and The Task Force had its first and internationally, and to common identity as opposed to introductory meeting recently make recommendations for the furthering fragmentation, on and the initial discussion cum promotion of such heritage. the basis of individual ethnic/ planning stage has commenced. The President has religious identities which have Senadhipathi, Fernando Revision Petition The Task Force is also in the authorized the Task Force on the whole been detrimental process of setting out a to... to the country and constrained timeframe concerning the i) investigate and issue its development. implementation of their plans directions as may be necessary Also, the appointments to the Appeal Court to towards achieving the tasks. in connection with the Task Force were strictly On 2 June, President functions entrusted to it, ii) professional, she added, noting Gotabaya Rajapaksa by way of issue instructions or request that there were three specialists an Extraordinary Gazette that all Government officers in archaeology while the consider on 8 July Notification (number 2178/17) and other persons requesting presence of the Land established a Presidential Task assistance in the provision of Commissioner General, the Force for Archaeological services, comply with such Provincial Land Commissioner By Kavindya Perera Kumuduni Wickremasingha maintenance of a floating Heritage Management in the instructions, and to and the Surveyor General were and Devika Abeyratna. armoury off the Southern Eastern Province and appointed iii) Report to the President, all practical in terms of addressing The Court of Appeal on 16 Attorney-at-Law Iraj de seas from the Avant Garde 11 Members to it. The Task cases of delay or default on the the land disputes that abound. June, decided to consider Silva, appearing for the Maritime Security Services Force is chaired by the part of any public officer or When queried as to how the the revision petition, filed petitioners, told the Court Private Limited. Secretary to the Ministry of officer of any Ministry, concerns of denizens would be by the Chairman of the that the case filed against The petitioners have Defence. Government Department, State incorporated in the processes of Avant Garde Maritime his clients by the stated that the written Other Members include two Corporation or other similar the Task Force, Senanayake Security Services, Nissanka Commission had been consent from the three monks (one described as an institution in the discharge of added that while the concerned Senadhipathi and the unlawful, as it had been members of the archaeology researcher), the the duties and responsibilities public would not be summoned Chairman of Rakna Lanka, filed sans the consent of Commission had not been Director General of Archaeology assigned to such public officer to Colombo for public Retired Major General three of its members. He sought by the prosecution Professor Senarath or institution. consultations, those involved in Palitha Fernando, on thereafter prayed the Court prior to filing the case Dissanayake, the Secretary of the Task Force the Task Force’s processes at 8 July. to issue an injunction against them. They had Commissioner General of Land, and Senior Assistant Secretary the grassroots level such as the Senadhipathi and against the decision of the further stated in the the Surveyor General, an to the President, Jeevanthie local Police and public Fernando have moved the High Court as it has been revision petition that archaeologist cum academic, an Senanayake speaking to Ceylon servants/Government officers Court to issue an injunction filed contrary to the law. though initial objections obstetrician and gynaecologist Today, responded to concerns (Divisional Secretaries and against the decision taken The lawyers appearing for had been made by their cum academic, a senior Police raised by concerned members Grama Niladharis, among by the Colombo High Court the Commission said that lawyers that the case officer, the relevant Provincial of the public regarding amongst others), who would interact to dismiss the preliminary they had still not received cannot be sustained in such Land Commissioner, and a others, the absence of any with the public, would carry out objections raised by them, notices concerning the a manner, the High Court media mogul. multi-ethnic/religious public consultations in an regarding a case filed revision petition. had dismissed those They have been tasked composition, specifically informal manner. against them by the Taking the submissions objections and had ordered with... minority representation, in the “This national heritage made Commission to Investigate into consideration, the the case to be tried. i) Identifying sites of Task Force’s Membership (only up of monuments, remnants, Allegations of Bribery or Court fixed further hearing Senadhipathi and archaeological importance, the ethnic majority of Sinhalese and antiquities, belongs to Corruption and to take it for to the said date. Fernando have named the ii) Identifying and and/or Buddhists make up the everyone in the country who consideration. The Commission had filed Commission, its Director implementing an appropriate entirety whereas the East has form one single community and The revision petition was a case against Fernando for General and the Attorney programme for the Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims not just to one ethnic/religious taken up before a two- having obtained a bribe to General, as respondents in management of archaeological in more or less equal measure). group.” Judge Bench of the Court of the tune of Rs 35.5 million their revision petition filed heritage by conserving and The task related qualifications Prof. Dissanayake declined to Appeal comprising Justices to facilitate the with the Court of Appeal. restoring such identified sites of its Membership, and how it comment. Column Thursday 18 JUNE 2020 A7 Food Security Post COVID-19 By Tissa Jayaweera secondly how to improve the prevailing situations and ensure Local supply of fresh and processed resilience of communities to food is supplied through domestic challenges which may follow in future. production as well as imports. Amongst other measures to be Although successive Governments taken, reasonable interventions have pledged to achieve self- should be made to regulate market sufficiency in certain crop varieties, activities in order to discourage including rice, it is incontestable that unfavourable trends, middlemen. the population of Sri Lanka is heavily Particularly, a strong stance by reliant on imports to fulfil their Government is recommended to avoid dietary requirements, especially the fictitious shortages caused by millers import of lentils. In 2019, Sri Lanka and ‘panic buying’. Parallel to the was ranked 66 amongst 113 countries relief mechanisms Sri Lanka should in the global food security index which invest more on planning for post- indicates that food security has been COVID-19 recovery measures an area which requires improvement especially targeting the low-income even prior to the pandemic. households which have suffered Amidst strict preventive measures severe economic setbacks. employed to control the spread of Opportunities should be created for COVID-19 with great dedication by low-income households to either medical services, armed services and resume their previous methods of Police both domestic production and income generation or to shift into imports have endured disturbances alternative livelihoods. Attention which seems unfavourable to the should be paid to develop strategies to status of food security in the country. efficiently manage national food Analysis of these disturbances and its reserves, which is of utmost impact on food insecurity warrants a importance in the backdrop of a close observation of the possible pandemic. The process of trends and outcomes in the short, management of food reserves should medium and long-term as well as the be transparent and handled by an will of the Government to make the institution with a clear mandate country self-sufficient by which will be directly accountable to implementing ‘Grow more Food’ ensure its efficient administration. campaigns. Solutions to farmer Last but not least, incentives should problems highlighted day in and day advancements, the developing world concessionary prices for certain Producers discouraged by be provided for producers to continue out by the Media have to be solved has been continuously struggling to essential food items and donations to cessation of market their cultivations, until they are able and considered to be a matter of handle situations of pervasive hunger vulnerable households to sustain to recover from the shocks priority. and extreme poverty which shares a themselves during the lockdown. Due to the cessation of market experienced during the suspension of Excuses by Government officials, direct correlation with food security. Such immediate relief to those who activities producers will be market activities due to COVID-19 grower to market short comings, low Hence, while nations are grappling were unable to fulfil their day-to-day discouraged to produce in quantities Monitoring by Government in cost agriculture loans, crop insurance with new challenges posed by COVID- requirements was an absolute they previously cultivated in fear of production and maintenance of schemes, availability of best quality 19 in December 2019 the imminent necessity. In the long run, these not being able to secure reasonable supply chains is an important aspect seeds have to be implemented. The threats to food security should not provisions are nothing but merely a prices as well as low cost finance of food security as seen during the solution is not found by the clearing escape the attention of governments makeshift approach as opposed to a support from banks. Moreover, their lockdown period. Supermarket chains of forests or encroaching on elephant and policy makers. In Sri Lanka, the more sustainable solution. production capacities will also that claim to serve people from farmer territory. The important factor is by immediate impact would be on the While an immediate decline in deteriorate as they struggle to to market is a failure due to unknown cultivating a lesser area of land and low-income households dependent on supply is not anticipated, given the purchase agricultural inputs such as reasons. The lack of cold room improving its quality and productivity daily wages to fulfil their basic interruptions caused to market fertiliser for crops and animal feed for facilities and better transport facilities which should be done by the Ministry requirements. A family making less activities and supply chains, livestock with their low incomes has to be introduced to maintain of Agriculture should they have than Rs 60,000 a month is at high limitations to accessibility of food earned in the previous season. These prices. It is claimed that 30 – 40 per productive employees in the field, not risk. items can be expected in the interim. irregularities will eventually reflect in cent of fresh produce go waste due to pen pushers. Data on productivity, Because of the suspension of With the interruptions caused to the production quantities, which will lack of cold rooms and intelligent yield per acre of rice and other crops several economic activities during economic activities in several critical inevitably reduce the domestic transport practices. As per statistics, should be made public. This country curfew, low income households in nodes of the market, such as at production in the long run. approximately 35 per cent of the is yet to walk the talk of politicians both urban and rural areas have dedicated economic centres, the Decline in domestic production population is involved in food and officials since independence. experienced major setbacks in their traditional channels have been would naturally call for increase of production and their contribution to income, which has depreciated their dysfunctional causing inefficiencies in imports to ensure food items are the economy is less than 6 per cent. Global demand for food ability to purchase essential food distribution. available in sufficient quantity in the In the developed world farmers are will experience an upsurge items. Although a decline in the Consequently, massive oversupplies markets. Yet, given the pressures rich. In this country farmers will be supply of food items was not identified were observed in many areas where induced by COVID-19, unprecedented eternally poor due to mismanagement In the backdrop of exponential in the market, the deficient financial farmers claimed that they were left escalation of food prices is expected by politicians and officials of the growth of the world’s population and capacity of low-income households with no option but to throw away their globally which result in increase of respective ministries. One of the the changing patterns of has caused significant obstructions to unsold produce. As stated previously, expenditure on imports necessary for biggest mismatches and lack of consumption, it is undoubted that the their access to food in sufficient the Government had made efforts to domestic consumption. coordination is between the Ministry global demand for food will experience quality and quantity. Thanks to jack purchase the excess produce from of Agriculture and Ministry of an upsurge in the near future. Such fruit, bread fruit, tapioca, sweet farmers and distribute them through Minimising damage and Irrigation. They seem to be clueless in an increase in demand coupled with potato growing in abundance death Government channels to end building resilience the use of technology. other externalities such as limitations due to starvation was avoided. consumers. The 225 politicians must be made in production, soaring prices, While home delivery of essentials Imminent threats to food security, answerable to the approximately 5.5 mismanaged supply chains, declining Provisions makeshift as was required given the circumstances, should take into account two million households to solve the food nutritional value of crops and opposed to a sustainable this approach had its fair share of underlying principles, namely, production of each district to fulfil the structural inequalities in access to challenges posed by geographical minimising damage and building vision of Government for country to be food has disturbed the food security solution proximity, observance of hygienic resilience. Any response with this self-sufficient in food. Assume the at national and international levels. At the outset several measures were practices and limited consumer regard should firstly, focus on executive President will make the 225 Despite the expansion of production taken by the Government and the choice compared to the situations preventing the worsening conditions walk the talk without ‘’empty vessels capacities, through technological private sector, including which prevailed earlier. and preserving the status quo and making a big noise’’ in Parliament.

In Brazil’s overcrowded jails COVID-19 breeds fear and calls for change By Fabio Teixeira Coronavirus: Our latest In Rio de Janeiro State, which has stories the country’s second-largest prison Carolina, a Brazilian mother, hasn’t population with more than 54,000 heard anything from her jailed son Brazil has the world’s second- inmates, 57 inmates died between since March when authorities banned highest COVID-19 death toll, with March and May - more than double prison visits due to the COVID-19 43,332 fatalities so far. what would be expected for the outbreak and she is scared. Among its nearly 750,000 prisoners, period, Albergaria said. As COVID-19 deaths rise in Brazil’s 49 deaths have been reported officially, “And that number is probably violent and overcrowded jails, with the National Prison Department higher, since deaths can take weeks activists have called for tens of (DEPEN) saying last month that the to make it into the system,” she thousands of prisoners to be released rate of COVID-19 infection in prisons added. to stop the disease taking a heavy toll was lower than in the general Rio has officially reported 12 on inmates, most of whom are young population. deaths from COVID-19 in the State’s black men like Carolina’s son. But campaigners, including Rafaela jails. About 64 per cent of Brazil’s Albergaria, from Rio’s State Without visits, prisoners’ relatives prisoners identify as black or mixed Mechanism for the Prevention and have to rely on hearsay from prison race compared with 55 per cent of the Fight Against Torture, an independent officers or from medical staff if sick 210 million population, according to a state body tracking rights violations in inmates are hospitalised. Brazilian 2017 prison census, which experts prisons, believe the real figure could be prisons seldom have pay phones. attribute to an excessive focus on much higher. measures to ease this overcrowding, isolate those suspected of having the Many, like Carolina, are part of policing of communities living in “Testing is only being done on those for public health reasons,” Valdirene virus. informal WhatsApp groups, sharing favelas. who develop an aggravated condition Daufemback, a former director at “Instead of prioritising release what little news they can gather with In Brazil, where the poor struggle to and happen to be transferred to an DEPEN, told the Thomson Reuters measures to drastically reduce fellow relatives. make ends meet and adhere to social emergency room,” Albergaria said. Foundation. overcrowding, governments continue “They cry in WhatsApp groups. distancing during the coronavirus The COVID-19 crisis has again to expand the system... maintaining They pray. They get angry and outbreak, thousands have taken to highlighted the acute overcrowding They Cry and They Pray’ mass incarceration and curse,” said Maria Teresa dos Santos, the streets in recent weeks to join a and sometimes squalid conditions in DEPEN said it has taken steps to criminalisation of black youth,” said President of the Association of wave of global protests denouncing Brazilian jails, which are over-capacity improve sanitary conditions in the Maria Clara D’Avila, an advocacy Friends and Family of People racism. by about 300,000 inmates, according country’s prisons - sending in advisor from Black Initiative for a Deprived of Liberty in Minas Gerais. “It’s a desperate fear ... it’s torture to government data. supplies of face masks, hand New Drugs Policy, a non-profit group. If anyone hears a prisoner has for us,” said Carolina, who relies on Since the pandemic began, some sanitisers and cleaning materials for Researchers said they were died, they send a group message. scraps of information from a 30,000 inmates have been released, guards and inmates. concerned that the real number of That is the news that Carolina said WhatsApp group for relatives of but experts want more non-violent Activists, however, point out that COVID-19 deaths was being covered she dreads receiving every day. inmates at the Rio de Janeiro jail offenders to be freed to help fight the some States, instead of releasing up, pointing to a lack of testing and a “The terror that we’re suffering... is where her 24-year-old son is serving spread of the virus. inmates at high risk of becoming spike in “excess deaths” in recent making us sick,” she said. 12 years for armed robbery. “It’s very important that ... we take seriously ill, have built new cells to months. (Thomson Reuters Foundation) A8 thursday 18 june 2020 editorial

Ceylon Newspapers (Pvt) Ltd. No: 101, Rosmead Place, Colombo 07. Editorial Tel: 0117566522, 0117566526, 0117566527 Fax: 0117566545 Marketing Manager: 0117566550, 0117566551 Circulation Manager: 0117566580, 0117566581 E-mail : [email protected] President stomps on CB’s toes The World Bank, just three days ago issued a major warning that all indicators in Sri Lanka’s economy are such that it has unhesitatingly written off all possible hope of growth in our GDP in 2021. Indicating a mere 2 or hopefully 2.5 per cent growth for the rest of this year, this has shaken the government into lashing out at the Central Bank that has over the past few years struggled to maintain an equitable ratio in our economy. However, Central figures stare at the government that 2021 will bring us Bank no GDP whatsoever. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his economic advisors look at the fast approaching general election campaign and know it only too well that joint Opposition forces will create hell for the SLPP pointing to the morass into which the nations’ economy has fallen. President Rajapaksa’s take on it is that effectively, during the closing two quarters of this year and the whole of 2021 period, under his leadership, Sri Lanka seems headed into its worst ever economic collapse. That means the WB has effectively told us that this apparently temporary economic decline is bound to drag the economy into roads of disaster, but it has judiciously not pointed accusing fingers at the CB, our Will Hong Kong economists and commercial banks. Therefore, what we are possibly looking at is a dangerously diluted trend in manufacturing, trade, and industrial activity coming on top of a massive loss in foreign exchange earnings from Lankans now back in Colombo from their lucrative earnings abroad, especially the Middle East nations. Be Tiananmen 2.0? All this means that President Rajapaksa and his advisors know that these declines in vital growth areas By Yanghee Lee will land on their laps a huge fall in GDP over the next six quarters from now until December 2021. Hong Kong is on a knife’s Frighteningly, they see the huge danger of Sri Lanka’s edge. Once one of Asia’s freest first-ever major recession in history with no hopes and most open cities, it now whatsoever of creating jobs for the jobless. All that, faces the spectre of a new politically speaking, comes up with the words ‘SOCIAL China-imposed security law DISASTER’. that would curtail its people’s Obviously, quite angered by what appears to have liberties and create a climate of been possibly a huge failure by the Central Bank and fear. The law is in flagrant Commercial Banks on a massive spectrum of cash- breach of the Sino-British Joint strapped COVID-19 hit commercial and industrial Declaration, which is registered entities thirsting for a preferably long drawn out credit/ at the United Nations, and loan rescue package. The President of the country can would open the way for only surmise that the board governing the CB has for widespread human-rights some unidentified political or some other reason, been violations. The UN cannot let “hindering government and trying to impede my duties”. this stand. When he lashed out saying that “You have done The United Kingdom returned nothing, not come to support me. You have failed in Hong Kong to China 23 years your economic policies and have laid the blame for your ago on the promise that the failures on the government”. territory would enjoy a “high To rub it in, he adds “And you have been earning big degree of autonomy” under the salaries”. “one country, two systems” Evidence of change the situation overnight, At the meeting held at the Presidential Secretariat principle for at least 50 years. harassment but each could provide some were Governor of the Central Bank Prof. W. D. For the first decade or so, China semblance of support or Lakshman and officials of the Central Bank, Secretary largely fulfilled that promise. Moreover, in February, four When Hong protection to the people of Hong to the Treasury S. R. Attygalle, Secretary to the However, its commitment to UN human-rights experts wrote Kong. President P. B. Jayasundera and Principal Advisor to doing so soon began to wane. to the Chinese government Kong’s citizens As a former UN special the President Lalith Weeratunga. By 2014, Hong Kong’s people detailing evidence of pushed back, Rapporteur, I know that both The President pointed it out, with much logic in it, were protesting the harassment, intimidation, and models have their advantages that Central Banks in the United States, Japan, and government’s failure to deliver detention of health-care they paid a and disadvantages. A special Australia and several small countries have put in place on the guarantee, included in workers during the protests. Rapporteur, appointed through required mechanisms to revive their economies. “But the Basic Law, that the city’s According to the report, ‘large steep price. The a resolution by the Human our Central Bank has not done anything towards this. chief executive would be elected numbers’ of such workers were 2014 ‘umbrella Rights Council, focuses on Monetary and Fiscal Policy has been formulated by the by “universal suffrage.” In the arrested and ‘hand-cuffed with exposing human-rights Central Bank. That should be done in accordance with ensuing years, booksellers zip-cords.’ Even after providing movement’ violations, and could help to the economic policy of the President of the country” was offering titles critical of China’s identification, they were earned its name achieve a kind of accountability his declaration. rulers were abducted to arrested for ‘taking part in a through transparency. A special Lacking full knowledge, we only know that President mainland China. Pro- riot’ and detained for 24 hours from the shields envoy is typically less vocal on said “The Government had put forward its proposals for democracy legislators and with no access to legal counsel, human rights, but may be able economic revival. The Central Bank has not extended its candidates were harassed and before being released on bail, protesters used to advance a political or support towards it thus far.” Why have you failed to disqualified from elections. pending charges. The report against tear gas diplomatic solution. Though respond? This was his virtual accusation and query. Foreign journalists and high- also highlighted “the misuse of China would resist – and the Our Central Bank does not use a single tool. It stays profile human-rights advocates health-care transport, facilities, country has considerable clout idle. We asked to release Rs 150 billion to banks. This is were expelled from Hong Kong and confidential information.” – UN Secretary-General António not a fault of the business. The Government owes a or denied entry. Simon Cheng, The Hong Kong authorities – Association and the Bar Human Guterres could appoint an huge sum of money to companies due to a Hong Kong citizen who and the Chinese rulers who Rights Committee of England envoy on his own initiative. mismanagement in the past. Let this money be kept as worked for the UK government, back them – have not backed and Wales warn that the The idea of creating a special a security for banks to release loans to them. Then they was detained for 15 days after a down. In April, they arrested 15 security law would severely envoy has wide support, can run the economy. This is a money circulation trip to mainland China, where of the city’s most respected pro- undermine fundamental rights, including from Patten. The process. This is a very simple tactic and this is a basic he was tortured until he democracy leaders, including including freedom of chairs of the foreign affairs economic principle. Nevertheless, what are you doing? ‘confessed’ to soliciting the ‘father’ of the movement, expression, assembly, committees in Australia, The Governments have to take the blame for your prostitution. the 82-year-old barrister Martin association, and religion or Canada, New Zealand, and the conduct. You do not monitor. Look at the status of When Hong Kong’s citizens Lee. Then in late May, China’s belief. As nearly 900 UK have written a letter calling finance companies. pushed back, they paid a steep rubber-stamp legislature, the international leaders – from for Guterres to heed this call. “I have presented you a mechanism. If you are unable price. The 2014 ‘umbrella National People’s Congress, former prime ministers to He should listen – and fast. to follow it, present me your version of the mechanism movement’ earned its name approved – by a 2,878-1 vote – prominent legal and human- The conflict between the by tomorrow morning” was his stern warning from the shields protesters the new security law for Hong rights experts – noted in a joint Chinese authorities and Hong “I would not have to assume this tone if you stood by used against tear gas. When Kong. declaration, the law amounts to Kong’s citizens will continue to your duties. It has been 8 months since my even larger protests erupted While the details of the new a ‘comprehensive assault’ on escalate, which is why appointment to the office, and I have been requesting last year, they were met with law have not been announced, Hong Kong’s ‘autonomy, rule of international action has become you to revive this collapsed economy ever since” he said more extreme violence by the it is known to contain law, and fundamental freedoms’ urgent. Thirty-one years after He added that “the people have bestowed a great security forces. provisions barring ‘subversion’, and a ‘flagrant breach’ of the the Tiananmen Square power on me to build this country. I request all of you Though the demonstrations ‘secession’, or ‘collusion with Sino-British Joint Declaration. massacre, Hong Kong is facing to allow me to build this country. were largely peaceful, especially foreign political forces’ – vaguely Special envoy the real threat of Tiananmen “The restructuring of the country’s economy before it early on, Police deployed all defined crimes that offer 2.0. The UN should not wait further collapses lies in your hands. Lend your support manner of weapons – including China’s ruler’s legal cover to Chris Patten, the last British until all that is left to be done is to me to achieve success in this endeavour. Either batons and, in a few cases, live crack down on any form of governor of Hong Kong and a clean the blood off the streets. accept my suggestions in this regard or reveal your ammunition – with impunity. dissent. For example, Hong leading organizer of the joint (Yanghee Lee, Professor of strategies” he warned This past January, two UN Kong citizens who brief foreign declaration, has declared that Child Psychology and If you are on the same page with my suggestions special Rapporteurs issued a parliamentarians, human- ‘defenders of liberal democracy Education at please give me your strategies to revive our economy by communication alleging the rights groups, or journalists must not stand idly by’. SungKyungKwan University tomorrow morning” he said. ‘inappropriate use of chemical could be deemed to be However, what should they do? in Seoul, is former UN special “If what I say is wrong, do not hesitate to let me agents,’ including ‘hazardous committing a crime. The law One possibility would be for the rapporteur on Human Rights know,” the President insisted. substances such as tear gas, would also allow China’s UN to establish a special envoy in Myanmar and former The CB response will be eagerly awaited by readers. pepper spray, pepper balls, and government to set up ‘security or a special Rapporteur for chair of the UN Committee on irritating chemical constituents organs’ in Hong Kong. human rights in Hong Kong (or the Rights of the Child.) dispersed from water cannons.’ Both the Hong Kong Bar both). Neither is likely to (www.project-syndicate.org) focus thursday 18 june 2020 A9 Post COVID-19: How Can Sri Lanka Move Forward? By Methmalie Dissanayake the people did not need it. “Singapore is a wealthy country, but Year 2020, the beginning of the new Sri Lanka also needs to build fiscal decade, still feels it is taking the world buffers, because the country is living on a rollercoaster ride. When COVID- on the edge. We have done it for many 19 struck with the force of a tsunami, decades; we need a mindset change as economies were shaken, marginalised well,” he pointed out. people became more marginalised, Furthermore, he noted it should be business models flipped upside-down, studied as to how Vietnam attracted many lost their livelihoods, and FDI during this time. “They took the everyone started to think about life advantage of reconfigurations in differently. Although half the year has global supply chains post-COVID-19. passed, everyone is still struggling to Thus, they have an attractive record find solutions to the thousands of in attracting FDIs,” he stated. problems sparked by the pandemic. “From the very beginning, Vietnam “Many countries in the world, like was able to attract Samsung. The Sri Lanka, are trying to figure out how lesson we can learn here is that if you to restore normalcy, whether there can attract one or two global brands, will be a normal ever again, or that demonstration can attract more whether people will have to live in a global investment.” new normal. These are the questions This will not be the last such crisis begging for answers at the moment,” in this context either, said Additional Secretary to the Dr. Coomaraswamy noted. “Sri President for Foreign Relations, Lanka is among the top five or six Admiral (rtd) Jayanath Colombage. countries likely to be most affected Colombage made this observation in by climate change. This vulnerability a virtual discussion on 10 May, to climate change and the intensity themed ‘Asian Recovery Stories’ and and the frequency of natural organised by UN Sri Lanka, regarding questions on the role of international to be a huge enabler,” he pointed out. affected.” disasters would be a challenge to the the social, economic and political organisations such as the UN. Prof. Jayasinghe also noted that the country in the future.” impacts of COVID-19 in the Asian “We know that the WHO did a great A technology-driven country’s current political situation “For the last few years, there was region. job during the pandemic; however, its future following the dissolution of Parliament much discussion about reducing the He said Sri Lankan policy maintains role was criticised as well. I think we gave way to a policy space. size of the Government. However, three cornerstones in combating will have to find answers to questions Fernando said there are many Intellectuals, experts and civil society during this pandemic, it became COVID-19. like whether the value of international examples of how we built the delivered many inputs to the methods clear that only the Government has “The first of the three strategies is organisations has slightly decreased. infrastructure, education and used by the country to combat the capacity to maintain the shock prevention. The next one we follow is “We are now discussing our awareness among people regarding COVID-19. caused by such pandemics. ‘life matters’. Life is very valuable to economic model as well. Sri Lanka technology use. “The best example,” “We used task forces, special Therefore, building the Government’s us, and it is not necessarily even has an import-based economic model. he stated, “Is the Social Listening Tool national coordination centres, etc., in capacity and modernising the human rights, but the right to life We are basically handling used as a barometer of public our model. Moreover, our quarantine Government is also very important,” itself. The last cornerstone is the transhipment cargo, and not much sentiment, and therefore effectiveness process was very strict. The he added. humanitarian aspect. domestic production,” he said. of public reaction. That was islandwide curfew imposed to prevent “Food security is also important. “Sri Lanka is testing, tracing, and Speaking after Colombage, UN fantastic.” the spread of the virus was different We have low productivity and low treating patients. Now we are trying to Global Compact Network Sri Lanka “We are going to need such tools in from the lockdowns in countries in income from agriculture, a sector implement an exit strategy, like a Chairman and Dilmah Sri Lanka the future to help us to cope if it is the region, like Vietnam and that needs to be transformed. We lock-out. We plan to reopen schools in CEO, Dilhan Fernando said that Sri going to happen again. COVID-19 is Singapore,” he added. have known this for a long time, and the near future. Most importantly, in Lanka has learnt a lot during the the first sign of that reality. Our have talked about this for many the last 40 days, not a single person lockdown phases. preparedness and learnings will help Building fiscal resilience years, but have not done much. It tested positive for COVID-19 on the “The next stage is where we all us deal with such situations better.” Former Central Bank Governor, should be given the highest priority,” community level,” he pointed out. prepare our regressive business Joining the discussion, Prof.Saroj Dr.Indrajith Coomaraswamy, the next he said. Colombage then noted that it was continuity plans. I think our Jayasinghe of University of Colombo speaker, highlighted the importance As these experts pointed out, too early to predict how countries like questions are about a framework for said that Sri Lanka should invest in of building fiscal buffers and COVID-19 has taught us much, even Sri Lanka would behave in the post building in a post-COVID biotechnology from now on. attracting Foreign Direct Investment changing our perspectives on life. COVID-19 situation. “The world will environment. We learned a lot during “Biotechnology became part of a (FDI) to face both pandemics and We’ve started questioning loopholes in have to live with COVID-19 for a the lockdowns. We came to know winning combination for Vietnam. In natural disasters, emulating the existing systems that we never noticed while,” he said. about the importance of virtual Sri Lanka, we do not have that, so we economic models of Singapore and before. It was like some almighty force meetings. We have even redefined our should start investing on Vietnam. put a pin to the fantasy bubble in Adjusting to a new normal schools. Moreover, health tasks biotechnology. Also, Sri Lanka does He noted that during the COVID-19 which we were floating. But we However, in a post COVID-19 during this time have provided us not currently have a good social outbreak, Singapore’s Government humans are known to be survivors environment, we have to figure out insights about certain aspects such barometer. We should learn from our provided financial assistance to who go through hell and still make it how international relations would as climate change and issues of experiences and start funding households and businesses, even work, like phoenixes rise from ashes; change, while there will also be inequality, while technology is poised research on how people have been though the social barometer said that we can, and will, rise again!

Developing a national pandemic response strategy Learn from the best; prepare for the worst How other Asian nations’ experience can ready us for the future

By Saundarya Wellaboda countries like South Korea or China. were identified. from a lot of investment from WHO of compromising the entire economy. Thus far, Sri Lanka has seen 1,859 These measures put an end to new and the Centre for Disease Control The Sri Lankan Government is COVID-positive cases, of which 903 cases in the country until 6 March, (CDC), as well as its strong Public cooperation using the lessons learnt from its fight cases were from the cluster of Naval when a COVID-positive individual biotechnological capacity, such as in Singapore against COVID-19 to develop personnel infected and 643 cases are entered the country via flight. high level laboratories for infectious response structures, facilities and from local returnees, Dr. Jasinghe Foreigners were then prohibited from disease control and vaccine Meanwhile, Senior Research Fellow at strategies, ensuring the country is specified, while the remaining 313 entering Vietnam, and all returnees production, through which it was able the Earth Observatory of Singapore, prepared to handle similar situations cases resulted from community were quarantined from 18 March, to successfully face the pandemic. Patrick Daly, discussing how Singapore in the future. clusters. regardless of whether they had a high is fighting the virus, added that As Health Services Director General, He admitted that, to a certain body temperature. A tiered quarantined Singapore’s Earth Observatory had Dr. Anil Jasinghe put it, “In short, we extent, Sri Lanka has not conducted Bales recounted that the process conducted surveys among citizens and are institutionalising epidemic enough research on COVID-19, Government, however, later found permanent residents to gauge the responses as our national policy.” although the country was able to evidence of community spread after Another interesting aspect Bales impact of prevention measures on Dr. Jasinghe, participating in a locally manufacture testing swabs 20 March, but could not identify the discussed was the systematic the public. webinar series titled ‘COVID-19 Asian and PCR kits through private index case, making it clear that the quarantine process Vietnam The survey revealed that the Recovery Stories’ conducted by the companies, some of which were even precautions taken were not enough. implemented. To get the maximum majority of respondents prioritised UN in Sri Lanka, acknowledged that exported. The Government is however, Two nurses that had not been in result from the quarantine process, she health and safety when adjusting to the Government learnt much from its moving forward, working with contact with any identified COVID said that individuals infected by the the measures put in place to prevent fight against COVID-19, being the inventors and indigenous medicine patients had contracted the virus, disease were identified as F0, and those the spread of the disease, first major pandemic faced by the experts to conduct research and resulting in transmission within the who had direct contact with F0 were highlighting that many Singaporeans nation. develop innovations to aid the fight hospital and in the surrounding identified as F1 – these people were were willing to accept the burden of He added that the Government has against the pandemic. community. After 1 April, the isolated in hospitals and not released mitigation measures to maintain begun collaborating with development Government put social distancing unless they showed negative results in health safety. Most respondents also partners and initiating the relevant Vietnam’s strict approach measures in place, which slowed four consecutive tests. indicated they had a high level of projects, such as developing hospital Visiting Professor at Hanoi down the spread. The tiers went on to the level of F2 – trust in the Government, media and facilities and other aspects, to University of Public Health, Sarah Contact tracing allowed Vietnam to those who had been in direct contact public health professionals amidst guarantee better results in the event Bales addressed the webinar control internal clusters of COVID-19 with F1 – and likewise on to F3, who the pandemic. of a future pandemic. regarding Vietnam’s early success in patients, while quarantine prevented were put under quarantine in separate As UN Resident Coordinator for Sri Discussing how the country’s controlling the disease, which she community transmission from any centres. The Government was very Lanka, Hanaa Singer highlighted, it response utilised institutional attributed to decisive action from the cases coming in from abroad. Such strict about the quarantine process, is important that regional partners quarantine and targeted testing, onset, such as early cluster measures, Bales noted, allowed the Bales noted, as rich and poor citizens share insights to learn from each Dr. Jasinghe explained that since identification and strict movement lifting of internal restrictions after alike were made to adhere to guidelines. other’s experience in dealing with the they were confident of community restrictions. Backed by a strong three weeks, while schools and other Sri Lanka might benefit from pandemic, which is what the webinar transmission being under control, the grassroots healthcare network, the institutions were opened by mid-May, adopting such a system to categorise series aims to achieve. Government focused on testing Government also ran an extremely and the community no longer needed individuals in need of quarantine, Sri Lanka can opt for a more targeted populations identified as transparent communication to wear masks outside. based on the possibility of them having cautionary approach with stricter vulnerable to the pandemic. campaign and tapped into various Though the steps taken in Vietnam contracted the virus. The country might measures, although this will put a He further emphasised that despite innovations to aid its efforts. were similar to those employed in Sri be facing an increasing number of strain on the public, which is testing the more vulnerable groups, As of 10 June, Vietnam had Lanka and other countries, Bales clusters due to the disease spreading in struggling to deal with the economic only two per cent of the PCR tests reported 332 cases with no deaths, opined that Vietnam had the added quarantine centres, so this method impact of the pandemic. Alternatively, delivered positive diagnoses, and stated Bales, adding that 316 of these benefit of experience, having could help prevent avoidable cases. if the country implements a system to increasing the number of tests would patients have recovered. After previously dealt with pandemics such When asked why Vietnam had not effectively deal with a possible second only result in a lower percentage of identifying its first case in January, as SARS, bird flu and swine flu. Thus, opened its borders, considering Sri wave, guidelines can be relaxed positive cases in the country. This, he Vietnam saw a cluster of cases as soon as the pandemic was Lanka’s decision to open its borders to without compromising on public noted, is why the Government chose emerge, resulting the Government announced in the country, the public tourists by August, Bales explained health. Whichever path it chooses, the not to conduct community testing, as locking down an entire community, took precautions by wearing masks that authorities are concerned of a third nation can bank on the lessons of its the level of community transmission Bales explained. Of the 5,000-6,000 and maintaining social distancing. wave of cases emerging, and were not regional peers for a more confident in Sri Lanka was not as severe as in people quarantined, 16 new cases She added that Vietnam benefits going to open up one sector at the risk path forward. A10 thursday 18 june 2020 world/News

Dubai, United Arab Emirates WHO moves to updated Violence surges COVID guidance in Yemen After ‘great news’ in drug study After COVID truce expires The World Health Organisation (WHO) cancelled scores of flights to help contain said it was moving to update its guidelines a fresh outbreak in China’s capital. on treating people stricken with COVID-19 “This is the first treatment to be shown to reflect results of a clinical trial that to reduce mortality in patients with showed a cheap, common steroid can help COVID-19 requiring oxygen or ventilator save critically ill patients. support,” WHO Director-General Tedros Trial results announced on Tuesday Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a (16), showed dexamethasone, used since statement late on Tuesday. The agency the 1960s to reduce inflammation in said it was looking forward to the full data diseases such as arthritis, cut death rates analysis of the study in coming days. by around a third among the most “WHO will coordinate a meta-analysis to severely ill COVID-19 patients admitted to increase our overall understanding of this hospital. intervention. WHO clinical guidance will The WHO’s clinical guidance for treating be updated to reflect how and when the patients infected with the new COVID-19 drug should be used in COVID-19,” the is aimed at doctors and other medical agency added. professionals and seeks to use the latest But South Korea’s top health official data to inform clinicians on how best to cautioned about the use of the drug for The emblem of the STC is seen between weapons held by Yemeni tackle all phases of the disease, from COVID-19 patients. Government soldiers at the headquarters of the separatist screening to discharge. “(It) has already long been used in South Southern Transitional Council in Ataq, Yemen, 27 August 2019 Although the dexamethasone study’s Korean hospitals to treat patients with (Reuters) A pharmacist displays an ampoule of results are preliminary, the researchers Dexamethasone at the Erasme Hospital amid different inflammation,” Jeong Eun- behind the project said it suggests the the coronavirus outbreak, in Brussels, kyeong, head of Korea Centres for Disease The Saudi-led coalition Reuters’ request for drug should immediately become Belgium, 16 June 2020 (Reuters) Control and Prevention (KCDC). fighting in Yemen said it comment. standard care in severely stricken “But some experts have warned of the intercepted and destroyed a In the Houthi-held capital patients. For patients on ventilators, the The benefit was only seen in patients drug not only reducing the inflammatory ballistic missile fired by the Sanaa on Tuesday, several treatment was shown to reduce mortality seriously ill with COVID-19 and was not response in patients, but also the immune Iran-aligned Houthi residents said coalition by about one third, and for patients observed in patients with milder disease. system and may trigger side effects. KCDC movement towards the south warplanes struck military requiring only oxygen, mortality was cut The positive news comes as COVID-19 is discussing the use of it for COVID-19 of the kingdom on Tuesday sites south and west of the by about one fifth, according to infections accelerated in some places patients.” (16), after intercepting city. preliminary findings shared with WHO. including the United States and as Beijing (Reuters) several drones launched the The coalition later said it previous night. had carried out heavy air Violence has surged strikes on Houthi targets in between the Western-backed Sanaa and neighbouring alliance and the Houthi Omran Provinces, Saudi Copenhagen, Denmark Washington, United States group after a six-week State-run Ekhbariya news ceasefire prompted by the reported from a coalition COVID-19 pandemic expired statement, without further Mink at farm Rep. Ilhan Omar’s father last month. details. A coalition statement said The Houthis ousted the missile was launched Yemen’s Saudi-backed dies from coronavirus towards the southern region Government from Sanaa in to be culled… of Najran. It earlier said that late 2014, prompting the it had destroyed several coalition to intervene. After catching coronavirus armed drones fired towards The uptick in violence the southern city of Khamis comes as Yemen combats Mushait late on Monday (15). the spread of the novel A Houthi military COVID-19 among an spokesman said in a Twitter acutely malnourished post that the Khamis population. Mushait attack was in The United Nations says response to coalition air the virus is spreading strikes. There was no unmitigated in a country immediate confirmation of with shattered health the missile attack. systems and inadequate On Monday, the Houthi testing capabilities and that Health Minister said in a infections are likely much Twitter post that a coalition higher than official reports. air strike killed 13 people, The Saudi-backed including four children, in Government based in the Saada Province. A coalition south has announced 834 spokesman did not cases, including 208 deaths. immediately respond to a (Reuters)

A view shows a machine depositing dead minks after the gassing, as the country continues a cull to pre- vent the animals from possibly infecting humans Kyiv, Ukraine with the coronavirus disease, at a farm in De Mortel, Netherlands. 9 June 2020. (Reuters) Ukraine gets Mink at a farm in Denmark were found to be infected with the new coronavirus and all 11,000 of the animals there will have to be culled, Danish authorities said on Wednesday. U.S. military aid The outbreak is the first in Denmark, the world’s largest producer of mink skins, but Including Javelin anti-tank missiles comes shortly after the virus was found at 13 Representative Ilhan Omar pays her respects during a memorial service for George mink farms in the Netherlands, where about Floyd, who died in Minneapolis Police custody, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. 4 Ukraine has received at the centre of a House of 570,000 mink have been ordered culled. June 2020 (Reuters) military aid worth more than Representatives “The Government has decided, on a USD 60 million from the impeachment inquiry in precautionary principle, that the infected mink Father of Somalia-born U.S. as refugees in 1995 from Somalia United States, including December into U.S. President stock will be culled to minimise the risk of Representative Ilhan Omar died on during the country’s civil war and Javelin anti-tank missiles, Donald Trump, on charges of potential spread of the disease,” the Danish Monday (15), night of complications eventually settled in Minneapolis, the U.S. embassy said on obstruction of Congress and Veterinary and Food Administration said in a from the novel COVID-19, local according to Politico. Wednesday (17). of pressuring Ukraine to statement. Media reported. Omar was elected along with Following Moscow’s investigate the son of A spokeswoman told Reuters that around “It is with tremendous sadness Michigan Representative Rashida annexation of Crimea in Democratic presidential 11,000 mink would be culled. and pain to say goodbye to my Tlaiin in November 2018 making 2014 and the outbreak of candidate Joe Biden. The Mink at the Danish farm were tested after a father,” the Minnesota them among the first two Muslim fighting in Ukraine’s eastern Bidens deny wrongdoing. person associated with the farm tested positive congresswoman tweeted late on women to serve in the U.S. Donbass region, Washington Democrats said Trump was with COVID-19. Monday. “No words can describe Congress. sent a first shipment of trying to help his re-election The Dutch outbreaks are thought to have what he meant to me and all who The Minnesota representative did Javelin systems worth prospects. He was acquitted originated from human handlers and then knew and loved him.” not respond to Reuters request for a around USD 47 million to by the Republican-controlled spread among the mink. Omar and her father Nur comment. Kyiv in April 2018. Senate in February. (Reuters) Mohamed came to the United States (Reuters) Military aid to Ukraine was (Reuters)

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Yahapalana wanted...

He was testifying before the Wijethilaka, sent a 29-page report to by the Cabinet, claiming that they Police Chandra Ferando. Evidence Police Lasantha Rathnayake. Presidential Commission investigating the Cabinet stating that there were no were protecting criminals and thieves. was led by President’s Counsel The Chairman of the Commission incidents of political revenge. Statutory powers to establish a Rajapakshe revealed this Kuwera de Soysa. ordered that notice be re-issued on Rajapakshe added that former criminal justice commission. information in connection with a Notice was issued by the President’s Counsel Upul Jayasuriya, Ministers Rajitha Senarathna, Patali He said the then Prime Minister, complaint lodged with the commission on 17 persons, in Senior State Counsel Janaka Bandara Champika Ranawaka, Arjuna Ranil Wickremesinghe and then Commission by Avant Garde connection with this investigation and former Parliamentarian Anura Ranathunga and Sarath Amunugama President Maithripala Sirisena Chairman Nissanka Senadhipathi when evidence was reviewed on the Kumara Dissanayake who were not had signed the said proposal. informed him to explain to the that the former government forcibly previous day. Those noticed present before the Commission He also said at that instance he had Cabinet about the legitimacy of the acquisitioned the Avant Garde floating were: Former Minister Patali without prior notice. proposed that the Attorney Avant Garde deal and he had studied armoury project. Champika Ranawaka, former Director The Chairman of the Commission General’s opinion be sought as under it further and explained that there’s Evidence given before the of the CID Senior Superintendent of said that notice will be re-issued and Article 72 of the Constitution the was no any issue regarding the Commission comprising Retired Police Shani Abeysekara, Rear punishment given to those who failed Cabinet had no power to establish a legitimacy of the relevant agreement. Supreme Court Judge Upali Admiral J.J. Ranasinghe, Rear to appear before the commission criminal justice commission. Dr. Rajapakshe further said after Abeyrathna (Chairman), Retired Court Admiral Nilantha Heenatigala, former without giving prior notice as it was He further said that the then that allegations were levelled at him of Appeal Judge Chandra Jayathilaka OIC of Galle Police Induka de Silva considered an insult to the Attorney General, Yuwanjan and the former PM Wickremesinghe, and Retired Inspector General of and Assistant Superintendent of commission. thursDAY 18 june 2020 b11

Email: [email protected] Sri Lanka a Financing Vote on Account for 2020 potential wellness tourism hub Govt to Borrow But high standards a must, says tourism expert $500M via Foreign Currency Term Loan Finance Ministry calls for proposals By Ishara Gamage LIBOR or its successor with a consecutive years as of 15 June Ignoring the then-prevailing, maturity period of one year or 2020, while domestic Banks IMF-backed, revenue-led fiscal The cash-strapped Sri Lankan more. The proceeds of the FTFF should have maintained AA(lka) consolidation process, the Government plans to raise a will be used for the purposes of or above ratings from Fitch present Government introduced Foreign Currency Term financing expenditure as Ratings Lanka Limited for a costly sweeping tax reliefs to the Financing Facility (FTFF) approved in the Vote on Account period not less than five country, which ultimately denominated in US Dollars (US$) for the fiscal year 2020. consecutive years as of 15 June backfired on the Government’s Asoka Hettigoda, Katherine Droga – Managing Director – Founder, Droga and Co up to a limit of US$ 500 million International banks/ 2020, to apply. revenue mechanism with the Siddhalepa Group in 2020, the Finance Ministry investment houses should have According to the Ministry, prevailing Coronavirus-led said yesterday (17). maintained investment grade proposals could be submitted in economic slowdown. This year’s By Rajiesh Seetharam The FTFF is expected to be ratings at least from Moody’s, multiples of 50 million US national budget deficit raised at a fixed rate or a floating Standard & Poor’s or Fitch for a dollars. Interest would be paid expectation is as high as 8.5 per There could be a high demand for wellness tourism rate, linked to the US$ six-month period not less than five biannually. cent of GDP. in the post-COVID-19 era, but if Sri Lanka is to be developed as a centre for Ayurvedic wellness tourism, it is necessary to maintain high quality standards, a tourism webinar was told. Addressing the second edition of the ‘Cinnamon 767 million as against purchases Future of Tourism Summit 2020’ virtual conference Shares hit three-month high despite worth on Tuesday (16), Droga and Co. Founder, Katherine Rs 149 million. Droga noted that COVID-19 would further enhance The top gainers during the day the demand for wellness tourism. foreign exits for 11th day were Tess Agro, Beruwala “It’s a global health pandemic, which means it’s a By Mario Andree 4,958.24 points, its highest changed hands on Wednesday Resorts, Nation Lanka, Browns lack of wellness. Thus, post COVID-19, the demand since 12 March, while the more (17), during 9,856 trades taking Beach, Arpico Insurance, Lanka for wellness tourism will further increase, which has The Colombo Stock Exchange liquid S&P SL20 representing place. Reality, First Capital, CDB (non- been revealed by the recent travel and tourism recovered to an over three- the top 20 shares gained 2.02 Shares of 241 companies were voting), Commercial Leasing and surveys,” Droga told the webinar. month high on Wednesday (17), per cent (41.99 points) to close actively traded, of which 94 Finance and HNB (non-voting). Participating in the webinar, Siddhalepa Group as the benchmark index posted at 2,121.11 points. emerged as winners ahead of 56 Top losers during the day were MD, Asoka Hettigoda said that Sri Lanka needs to gains for the second straight The daily turnover at the losers. SMB Leasing (non-voting), SMB maintain high standards to project itself as a centre session on a higher turnover Colombo Stock Exchange stood Foreigners were net sellers for Leasing, Palm Garden Hotel, for Ayurvedic wellness tourism. despite continued foreign exits at Rs 2 billion on Wednesday the eleventh consecutive session Mackwood Energy, Millennium “A therapist should undergo at least four years of from the Colombo Bourse. (17), lower than Rs 1 billion on Wednesday (17). Net foreign Housing, Ambeon Capital, training. Traditionally, a therapist works with a The benchmark All Share Price recorded during the previous outflow during the day Maskeliya Plantations, doctor so that in addition to learning physiology and Index (ASPI) gained 0.87 per market day. amounted to Rs 618 million, as Madulsima Plantations, Samson anatomy, they will also be learning to diagnose the cent (42.68 points) to close at More than 80.8 million shares foreigners sold shares worth Rs International and Laugfs Gas. issues,” he said. Hettigoda pointed out that compared to demand, well-trained therapists are in short supply, saying, “There are more than 1,000 Ayurvedic centres – some follow standards while others don’t.” building is in need of a He emphasised that consumables used in the Crescat Boulevard to be revamped refurbishment, one we have been wellness industry should also be of high standard Asian Hotels and Properties putting off for some time. With all and the industry should be strictly monitored by the PLC (AHPP) announced that it the new malls opening in Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Indigenous will be moving forward with Colombo, we also feel it is time to Medicine. major investments towards the reconsider its competitive The Global Wellness Institute (GWI) has estimated refurbishment of Crescat positioning as well. that wellness tourism was growing more than twice Boulevard. “Naturally, we believe that as fast as general tourism. First opening its doors in 1997, more can now be done to take According to a Global Newswire report, demand Crescat Boulevard was a advantage of this property’s from millennials is promising, with high growth pioneering development at the remarkable location and deliver potential in urban wellness, which includes spas in time, and soon became an iconic value to our stakeholders. Our cities and towns. “People are becoming more location in Colombo. It was the goal is to once again create a conscious in using organic, natural products. For very first upscale retail hotspot in unique, high quality experience millenials, natural has to be purely natural, it cannot Colombo to offer a curated that can cater to the changing be mixed with chemicals,” stated Hettigoda. shopping experience featuring dynamics of an increasingly He pointed out that Sri Lanka with its bio-diversity, high-end international brands, sophisticated market, thereby availability of natural herbs and spices, and side-by-side with local crafts, raising the profile of the city of Buddhist monks who specialise in yoga and entertainment, and a melting pot Colombo itself.” meditation, can easily become a wellness and of cuisines. In the interim, operations at Ayurvedic tourist hub if high standards are “The face of Colombo has seen Crescat Boulevard will continue maintained. such radical changes since as normal, with visitors being He said that today’s tourists expect an authentic Crescat Boulevard was first able to browse and shop until the experience of the land they visit and therefore should opened,” said Nayana Holdings, which manages the opened our doors, and that is a end of December 2020, when the be given a unique experience of our tradition, culture Mawilmada, Sector Head of the property. very long run for a shopping refurbishment project will and heritage. Property Group of John Keells “It has been 23 years since we mall. After this length of time, the commence. No income from tourism for May Seychelles arrivals might prop up income in June By Mario Andree dependent nations are also for urgent medical million from US$ 1.78 billion a 2019 brought about an before the COVID-19 currently suffering from huge requirements and were sent to year earlier. additional challenge. pandemic took the world by Tourism earnings, Sri losses of income. quarantine centres to complete Tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka The unexpected event surprise, said veteran tourism Lanka’s third-largest foreign According to data released procedures before being during the same period shocked not only Sri Lanka professionals. exchange earner and the most by the Central Bank of Sri admitted at any hospital. declined 46.3 per cent to but the entire world, leaving According to them, the impacted industry due to the Lanka, the country did not The country might see some 507,311 from 945,377 a year foreign travellers afraid to visit industry will take at least COVID-19 pandemic, ended its earn any sort of income from income in June this year due earlier. the country. another year to fully recover second month without any the industry during May, to these Seychelles nationals Although Sri Lanka set an The tourism industry, which from the effects of COVID-19, sort of income in May this despite some Seychelles who arrived in the country. annual target of 2.5 million was providing concessions to and operations would remain year. nationals arriving during the So far as per data, tourist arrivals in 2016, attract more tourists due to a challenging until then. The COVID-19 pandemic latter part of the month. cumulative earnings from successive Governments failed lack of a proper Tourism Sri Lanka is planning to has not affected only Sri According to the tourism during the first five to achieve this for the three Promotion Campaign, was on open its doors once again to Lanka’s tourism industry – Government, the Seychelles months of this year declined consecutive years up to 2018, the verge of recovering to foreigners starting from many other tourism- nationals arrived in Sri Lanka 46.3 per cent to US$ 956 before the Easter attacks in normalcy from the attacks, August. B12 Ceylon FT thursday 18 june 2020 International business Wall Street jumps on glimmers of economic recovery

Wall Street surged on Tuesday as a record jump in retail sales indicated the U.S. economy is on the road to Britain tells banks recovery, five months into its pandemic-inflicted recession. All three major U.S. stock to prepare for indexes were sharply higher, and on course for their third consecutive daily gains. pandemic debt pile The Dow and the S&P British banks need to Service and the Business remain about 11% and 8% accelerate preparations for Banking Resolution below their respective record dealing with businesses Service to ensure that closing highs reached in unable to repay money there is capacity to deal February, while the tech-heavy they borrowed to cope with with the volumes we may Nasdaq hovers about 1% the coronavirus pandemic, see,” he said. below its all-time closing high the national financial Banks were criticised for reached on June 10. sector regulator said on being slow initially in Data released by the Tuesday. building up capacity to Commerce Department Over 900,000 businesses dole out loans, sparking showed retail sales jumped by have taken out state- complaints from small a record 17.7% in May, backed loans worth companies struggling to blowing past the 8% increase around 38 billion pounds stay afloat. analysts expected. ($48 billion) under “We can’t allow this to “We’re seeing pretty broad schemes introduced to become a replay of the gains,” said Peter Cardillo, help companies deal with 2008 crisis where the chief market economist at the impact of lockdowns, treatment of some small Spartan Capital Securities in banking industry body UK business borrowers did New York. “As the economy Finance said on Tuesday. such serious damage to reopens, you’re going to see Financial Conduct people and to trust in strong numbers but after that Authority (FCA) Chair financial services,” Randell they’re going to peter out.” Charles Randell said some said. “As (U.S. Federal Reserve of the debt incurred would UK Finance Chief Chair Jerome) Powell pointed turn out to be unaffordable Executive Stephen Jones out, we have a long way to go,” But a UK-led drug trial the charge. The upbeat retail up 2.8% after Wells Fargo and this would need to be said companies should Cardillo added. showed low doses of generic sales data helped push S&P hiked its price target on the tackled fast to avoid consider their ability to Indeed, at the beginning of steroid drug dexamethasone 500’s Retail index 2.3% company’s shares ahead of its hurting a recovery. repay before asking for a his two-day testimony before reduced COVID-19 death rates higher, led by Nordstrom Inc earnings release expected after “Lenders will need to loan. Congress, Powell said, “Until among the most severe cases. and Kohl’s Corp, which surged the bell. scale their arrears- Randell said the the public is confident that the The Dow Jones Industrial by 14.9% and 7.7%, Advancing issues handling functions pandemic’s impact on disease is contained, a full Average rose 577.73 points, or respectively. outnumbered declining ones quickly, and invest in markets had added to recovery is unlikely.” 2.24%, to 26,340.89, the S&P Blue-chip industrial on the NYSE by a 5.32-to-1 training and controls,” questions about the value With a resurgence of new 500 gained 64.83 points, or Caterpillar Inc jumped 5.1% ratio; on Nasdaq, a 3.35-to-1 Randell told an online of some high-cost and COVID-19 cases in China and 2.11%, to 3,131.42 and the while planemaker Boeing Co ratio favoured advancers. meeting with the chairs of riskier investment the United States, along with Nasdaq Composite added advanced 3.1%. The S&P 500 posted seven Britain’s banks. products, he said, adding: unabated progression of the 181.65 points, or 1.87%, to Shares of Eli Lilly and Co new 52-week highs and no “There needs to be an “We will be saying more pandemic in Latin America 9,907.67. surged 16.4% after new lows; the Nasdaq appropriate dispute about the issue of high- and elsewhere, it could take a All 11 major sectors of the announcing its breast cancer Composite recorded 96 new resolution system, and we risk investments in the while until that confidence S&P 500 were well in the therapy’s success in a late- highs and five new lows. are working with the near future. finds a foothold. black, with healthcare leading stage study. Oracle Corp was (Reuters) Financial Ombudsman (Reuters)

Grundfos acquires Lebanon Central Bank aims Eurowater to bring dollar price down progressively The Lebanese Central Bank 3,860/3,910. Queues formed aims to bring down the price of outside some licensed dealers, the U.S. dollar progressively where several customers said with the agreement of licensed they had bought a maximum of foreign currency dealers to help $200 at the 3,910 rate. stabilise prices as much as it Lebanon still applies an can, Governor Riad Salameh official peg of 1,507.5 pounds told Reuters on Tuesday. to the dollar for imports of fuel, President Michel Aoun said medicine and wheat. on Friday the Central Bank A new electronic exchange would supply the currency trading platform will open on Grundfos, the global leader improve the quality of life for market with dollars from June 23 as part of the effort to in advanced pump solutions people. Monday as part of an effort to unify the rates. The platform and a trendsetter in water “Eurowater brings a broad prop up the Lebanese pound, was intended to act as a technology, recently portfolio of solutions and a which has shed more than 60% market maker, Salameh said. announced that the company deep understanding of water of its value since October. “This approach is necessary official efforts to regulate “The daily volume is $4 has entered into an agreement treatment applications and Responding to a written in a cash economy,” he said. dealing. million on average. These to acquire Eurowater, as a end-users,” stated Grundfos question from Reuters, “We hope that reforms will be Licensed foreign currency amounts are purchased from solution to tackle global water Group Executive Vice Salameh did not say if the enacted ... to bring confidence.” dealers agreed with the the market and sold to the challenges. President and Chief Central Bank had started Lebanon is grappling with an government earlier this month market. Thus the reserves of The acquisition aligns Marketing officer Ulrik supplying the market with acute financial crisis seen as to work to gradually reduce the the Central Bank are not at closely with Grundfos’ Gernow. “This will enable us dollars. the biggest threat to its stability exchange rate to 3,200 pounds stake,” he wrote. strategy to strengthen its to strengthen our value “Our aim is with the since the 1975-90 civil war. Its per dollar. “The Central Bank has innovation leadership within proposition to customers. agreement of the licensed currency has fallen amid a On the parallel market on always been committed to water technology and Eurowater is an outstanding exchangers to bring the price of hard currency liquidity crunch, Wednesday, one dealer said he preserve the stability of the supports the company’s company and we are truly the dollar progressively lower, which led the state to default bought dollars at a rate of pound or at least to moderate purpose to pioneer solutions impressed by its contributing as much as we on its sovereign debt in March. 4,700 and another at 4,800. the volatility of the fluctuations to the world’s water and organisation and the people can to stabilise the prices,” he Dollars continue to trade on The official rates on offer at in the exchange market.” climate challenges and we have met.” wrote. a parallel market despite licensed dealers were (Reuters)

UK to merge International Development Ministry and Foreign Office

Britain will merge its diplomatic and Foreign, Commonweath and that of the foreign office. aid departments, Prime Minister Boris Development Office and will launch in That has long been in the sights of Johnson said on Tuesday, promising September. lawmakers on the right of Johnson’s that a combined department would The decision was immediately Conservative Party, who argue that better promote British interests criticised by opponents who said it was money has been wasted on frivolous without cutting spending on overseas a deliberate distraction from the projects and should either be spent in projects. government’s coronavirus response a more controlled way or spent at Johnson said it was removing a false and would diminish Britain’s overseas home. divide between two overlapping influence. Johnson echoed those concerns, departments - the Foreign and “The Prime Minister should stop saying overseas aid had been treated Commonwealth Office and the these distractions and get on with the for too long as ‘some giant cashpoint in Department for International job of tackling the health and the sky.’ Development - and would allow for economic crisis we currently face,” Former Conservative Prime Minister spending in line with foreign policy opposition Labour Party Leader Keir David Cameron, whose coalition aims. Starmer said. government wrote the pledge to spend “This will unite our aid with our Britain spent 15.2 billion pounds 0.7% of gross national income on aid diplomacy and bring them together in ($19.1 billion) on “Official Development into law in 2015, said it would mean our international effort,” he told Assistance” in 2019, of which almost “less expertise, less voice for Parliament. “We already punch above three-quarters came from the DFID development at the top table and our weight, this will help us to punch budget, official statistics showed. The ultimately less respect for the UK even harder.” Institute for Government think tank overseas.” The new Ministry will be called the said the DFID budget was five times (Reuters) news thursday 18 june 2020 Ceylon FT b13

Supporting post-COVID economic revival CBSL implements new Credit Schemes; further reduces SRR The Monetary Board of the Central 115 billion of additional liquidity to under a new dedicated credit bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) at its the domestic money market, scheme funded by CBSL and made meeting held on 16 June, decided to enabling the financial system to available at the aforementioned introduce new credit schemes under expedite credit flows to the economy, concessionary rates. Section 83 of the Monetary Law Act while reducing the cost of funds of The CBSL stated that operating No. 58 of 1949, as part of its efforts LCBs. Under the new credit instructions on these new credit to stimulate economic revival in the schemes, the CBSL will provide schemes will be issued in immediate fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. Licensed Commercial Banks (LCBs) due course. At the same meeting, it also with funding at a concessionary rate The Central Bank has reduced the decided to reduce the Statutory of 1.00 per cent against the pledge of SRR by a total of 300 basis points Reserve Ratio (SRR) applicable on all a broad spectrum of collateral, thus far during 2020, in addition to rupee deposit liabilities of licensed under the condition that LCBs several other easing measures commercial banks (LCBs) by 200 availing this facility will lend to implemented already, including the basis points to 2.00 per cent, with domestic businesses at a rate of reduction of policy interest rates by effect from the reserve maintenance 4.00 per cent while ensuring the a total of 150 basis points and the period that commenced on 16 June maximum level of distribution. reduction of the Bank Rate by 550 2020. These decisions are expected This scheme will be in addition to basis points. to increase liquidity and reduce the the amount of Rs 27.5 billion The Monetary Board will continue costs of funding, provided that the already disbursed under the to monitor economic and financial financial sector passes on these refinance scheme introduced on 27 market developments and will take benefits through increased low-cost March, bringing the total relief further policy and regulatory lending to businesses and provided to an amount of Rs 150 enterprises that are owed payment to borrow from LCBs using measures to support a sustained households. This reduction in the billion. from the Government for past Government-issued guarantees revival of economic activity in the SRR is expected to inject around Rs Additionally, construction sector contracts will be provided a facility equivalent to the owed amount, period ahead.

USAID-supports COVID-19 impact survey Stock Exchange begins digitalisation initiative Exporters optimistic about A Joint Committee between the amended to make it mandatory for Securities and Exchange the CDS to forward CDS Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) statements in electronic form to and the Colombo Stock Exchange an email address provided by the new market opportunities (CSE), formed to identify account holder through the measures and mechanisms for the relevant Stock Broker Firm/CDS “Sri Lankan exporters are cautiously from senior-level executives, providing On expected changes in employment Colombo Stock market to conduct Participant. optimistic about business continuity key strategic insights on the trade and conditions over the next three months, its core activities digitally, has The Listing rules have been amidst a global pandemic,” reveals the labor market impacts of COVID-19. 26 per cent of businesses anticipate a begun work on the first phase of amended with a view to facilitating findings of a new business survey The majority of businesses decline in full-time employees, 57 per its initiative. Listed companies to credit the conducted by the Ceylon Chamber of responded that they were prepared to cent expect a decline in part-time The first phase involves the dividend proceeds directly to the Commerce (CCC) and the United manage the impact of COVID-19, with employees, and 51 per cent expect a conversion of paper-based respective bank accounts of the States Agency for International 70 per cent of firms stating they decline in contractual employees. statements to electronic form and entitled shareholders that have Development (USAID). already had a ‘Business Continuity On the outlook for export business, the facilitation of electronic provided accurate information of A significant number of the firms Plan’ in place. Most had already begun nearly half the businesses expect a payments of dividends companies their bank accounts. surveyed had identified new business automating their business processes ‘severe’ or ‘moderate’ contraction in listed on the CSE to pay dividends The Listing rules have been opportunities arising from needs prior to COVID-19, indicating they are export business over the next three electronically to shareholders. further amended to provide the relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, fairly well-placed to manage the months, while over a 12-month period, Under the existing rules, flexibility for listed Companies to although they were deeply concerned challenges of work from home. 36 per cent expect high or moderate Stockbroker Firms and the CDS issue the Annual Report in a mode about the impact on operations, In addition, 63 per cent of growth. On the outlook for the overall use paper-based statements, other than in printed form. cashflow, and productivity. They respondent firms have identified new economy, businesses are less except where Accountholders and To facilitate a smooth transition, pressed for tax and financial relief, opportunities to cater to increases in optimistic, with 83 per cent perceiving clients of Stock Broker Firms have all CDS accountholders will be and digitisation of Government global demand arising from the severe or moderate contraction over specifically requested for requested to furnish the following services – particularly at border pandemic. Large businesses were the next three months and only 21 per statements to be sent details to their Stockbroker/ agencies – to recover losses caused by most likely to have identified new cent expecting high or moderate electronically. Participant prior to 10 September the lengthy halt to business activity in opportunities (67 per cent) compared growth over a 12-month period. Similarly, the existing listing 2020: e-mail address, mobile the country. to SMEs (58 per cent). Government role in rules have provided for the issue number, and bank account The survey, designed by the CCC’s Half the respondents expected a of Annual Reports in CD form, number, as well as the name of Economic Intelligence Unit and decline in export revenues by 40 per supporting exporters and most companies follow this bank and branch. USAID’s ‘Partnership for Accelerating cent or more in 2020. Most planned to Export businesses observed that, method of issuing Annual The above information must be Results in Trade, National apply for financial relief. Here, the although they are ready to bounce Reports. The Stock Broker rules provided by submitting the duly Expenditure and Revenue (PARTNER)’ prominence of female-owned back, they had some key requests have been amended to make it completed CDS 28 - e-Service project, was conducted over two weeks businesses planning to request for from the Government. Tax relief, mandatory for Stock Broker Firms form by the CDS Accountholders starting on 04 May 2020, and received relief (80 per cent) was apparent. A financial assistance, and digitisation to dispatch Bought and Sold to the registered Stockbroker/ responses from a representative mix of majority of the companies have of border agencies were among the top Notes and Statements of Accounts Participant. The Form can be large firms and SMEs (including firms applied for financial relief to meet three interventions requested from the by electronic means to their downloaded from www.cse.lk, owned or led by women) in 26 export working capital requirements, relative Government by large firms, SMEs and clients. www.cds.lk, or collected from segments. Responses came primarily to debt moratoriums. women-owned/led firms. The CDS Rules have also been Stockbrokers/Participants.

Emirates to begin outbound flights from BOC B-App empowers Colombo on 20 June self-enabling facility Emirates announced the launch and export cargo. Services in July Bank of Ceylon announces card number in the required you will be requested your within the password. After of outward-bound passenger are subject to Government that their mobile banking box followed by selecting debit card Personal completing this step you will flights from Sri Lanka, starting approval. app ‘B-App’ now comes with your country. The next step Identification Number (PIN), have to ‘Log out’ and ‘Log in’ Saturday 20 June 2020, to “This is welcome news indeed for the self enabling facility. would be to insert your expiry date of the debit card with your new password. facilitate travel for foreign our longstanding and loyal Thus, the customers are mobile telephone number as mentioned on the card With your first log in as a nationals, as well as Sri Lankans customers who have been waiting now empowered to download and your email address. itself as in month/year and fresh user ‘terms and who need to return to families, patiently for Emirates to resume and register themselves for Finally type the ‘code’ that finally enter the CVV-2 conditions’ related to use of jobs or education overseas. services,” said Emirates’ Area this facility without visiting a appears on the screen number as mentioned on B App will appear on the The airline currently operates Manager for Sri Lanka and branch. To register first of all following the same sequence the back of the card. screen. passenger flights to 30 Maldives, Chandana de Silva. ‘B-App’ will have to be down and click on continue. After completing these You are required to destinations with connectivity for “While scheduled inbound loaded to the customer’s Once you have completed steps you have officially carefully read it through and cities between Asia, Europe and passenger flights remain smart phone. As for an these steps an SMS alert will registered yourself to B App click on ‘Accept’ button to North America via its home base of suspended till the BIA resumes ‘Android’ version phone, it be sent to your registered and then you can create a say that you are complying Dubai, and expects to expand its normal operations, these flights can be downloaded via mobile number with the secured pass word that has with the terms and reach as countries open up their are an important first step in that Google Play Store or if it is bank, stating the One Time eight to twelve characters conditions. What you will airports to passenger flights. direction. We have implemented an Apple iPhone (IOS) it will Password (OTP) which you and contains at least one receive next on the screen From 20 June, Emirates will enhanced hygiene and safety have to be downloaded via will have to submit to the capital letter, one simple are several security operate two outbound passenger measures in the air and on the App Store. The customer required box. Afterwards letter and numeric digits questions of which you will plus cargo services with Boeing ground, in coordination with the can then either enroll and have to select the most 777-300 aircraft every Saturday relevant authorities. The safety self-register for the facility or relevant questions and save and Sunday from the and wellbeing of our customers, visit a nearest BOC branch answers for those questions Bandaranaike International employees and communities for further assistance. If the registering for ‘self-unlock’ Airport (BIA) to Dubai remain our top priority.” customer already posses a facility in case your ‘B App’ International Airport (DXB). Emirates has implemented a NFC enabled debit card with has been locked mistakenly. Passengers travelling to the UAE comprehensive set of measures at an already registered active With the demand for time must meet the eligibility every step of the customer journey mobile number with the becoming crucial, the Bank requirements specific to UAE to ensure the safety of its bank, customer himself can has empowered the residents, and for those transiting passengers and employees on the activate ‘BOC App’ phone by customer by eliminating the through, the entry requirements ground and in the air. Aircraft following a few simple steps. need of visiting a branch to at their final destinations. boarding sequence has been Accordingly, the first step conduct banking, replacing Every Friday and Saturday, staggered in economy class with would be to select the B App branch work with a Emirates’ cargo-only flight passengers boarding by row, from icon in the smart phone, personalised digital system EK2528 will arrive in Colombo the last row to the first, in small then click on ‘Sign in’ as that enhances customer from Dubai, transporting essential numbers. shown on the screen. To experience. Backed by imports into Sri Lanka. The return All cabin crew on board are fully register click on ‘New to sophisticated IT flight, EK2529 will depart kitted out in PPEs. Crews hand Online Banking- Register infrastructure, the Bank Colombo every Saturday and out hygiene travel kits that Now.’ As for the third step, provides instant and real- Sunday at 01:00 hrs and arrive in contain masks, gloves, select relationship type as time transactions during Dubai at 03:45hrs, all times local, antibacterial wipes and a sanitiser ‘Debit Card Customer’ and any time of the day on a with a combination of passengers to every passenger. continue. Type your debit secured platform. B14 CEYLON FT thursday 18 june 2020 Advertorial ComBank’s Flash and PickMe offer payments via QR code

The Commercial Bank of Ceylon has announced that its ‘Flash’ digital account holders can now pay digitally for their rides with PickMe taxi service via a QR code, minimising the contact with the driver. This touch-less and cash-less payment option is made possible by the Bank’s recent partnership with PickMe and the ensuing integration of the respective apps of the two partnership with Commercial Bank of organisations leading to the Ceylon we are further enhancing the generation and acceptance dynamic relevance of our service, not just by EMV-compliant QR codes. offering convenience to the customer Facilitated by Lanka Clear (Pvt) Ltd., but also by ensuring safety via the Lanka QR code is a national contactless payments to our driver standard introduced by the Central partners and customers. We are Bank of Sri Lanka for local currency looking forward to seeing this payments through mobile phones. payment option growin popularity.” The process is both simple and safe During the recent lockdown, the for the Flash app user and PickMe Commercial Bank of Ceylon added a driver alike. After each taxi ride, a QR Payment module that enables dynamic QR code will be generated on Commercial Bank’s Head of Digital Banking Pradeep Banduwansa (fourth from right) and PickMe Chief Operating Officer Isira Perera Flash account users to scan a Lanka the PickMe app on the mobile device exchange the agreement in the presence of the Directors of Digital Payment Systems (Pvt) Ltd, Messrs Sanjiv Alles and Mufaddal QR code of any merchant to make of the driver. The passenger only has Lukmanjee (second and third from left). PickMe Chief Financial Officer Shifaz Riyaz, (fourth from left) and other representatives of payments direct from the account to PickMe and Commercial Bank’s Digital Banking Unit to open his or her Flash account the merchant for goods or services application on the phone, click on the Commenting on the launch of this is slowly opening up for operations first businesses in the country that purchased. QR-Pay option on the app’s home facility, Commercial Bank’s Head of and people are looking for safe options rose to the occasion during the Even before the introduction of the screen, and scan the QR code Digital Banking Pradeep Banduwansa to get about their daily lives.” lockdown to deliver essential goods QR payment module, Flash Account generated on the driver’s app to said, “Our partnership with PickMe is PickMe Chief Operating Officer Isira and services to the doorsteps of holders could settle their PickMe taxi instantly settle the taxi fare. timely at this point when the country Perera said, “PickMe was one of the people island-wide. With this fares via their Flash debit cards.

Pizza Hut Sri Lanka Huawei Nova 7i /Huawei FreeBuds 3 launches ‘Aswedduma’ combination offers easy user experience

Huawei announces that the combination of Nova 7i and Huawei FreeBuds 3 offers more space for entertainment and productivity, enhancing a user experience. Nova 7i is a stylish mid-ranger to hit the market for an affordable price while FreeBuds 3 comes in as Huawei’s answer to true wireless ear buds. Be it for listening to music, playing games with amplified sounds, answering a call amid a noisy environment or attending to an important conference call, Huawei Nova7i and FreeBuds 3 combination gets all of these tasks done seamlessly. Connecting Huawei Nova 7i with FreeBuds 3 is easier as it gets with just one click in the initial pairing and subsequent pairing happens automatically. The 6.4 inch Nova 7i has a full HD screen that provides a smooth viewing experience for watching videos and playing games. Nova 7i gets the processing power from a Kirin Nova 7i incorporates Histen sound users to stay focused on music or calls in a 810 chipset with 8GB of RAM backed by 128 technology which provides an advanced crowded space or a noisy environment. GB internal storage which is ideal for playing audio experience and its built-in equaliser FreeBuds 3 is capable of operating for 20 even the most demanding games which also assists in tuning the music to suit the hours at a stretch which enables users to absorb a lot of power. users. Additionally, the Freebuds 3 with its wear it throughout the day. Gamma Pizzakraft Lanka (Pvt)Ltd, presently the single “Huawei has made possible that a integrated bass allows music lovers to listen Charging the Huawei FreeBuds 3 is easier franchisee for Pizza Hut in Sri Lanka recently launched combination of Huawei devices can improve to music for longer hours. with few options to choose from - traditional ‘Aswedduma’ under the concept of ‘Sowing Seeds to Nurture the user experience, so that they can stick Further,when it comes to answering calls USB Type-C charging set or laying down the Sri Lanka.’ with us for all their tech-related while driving or walking, Huawei FreeBuds 3 carrying case on a wireless charging mat and This is a corporate social initiative to support the country in requirements. Technology is basically for assists the users with its convenient dolphin users can also use a Huawei smartphone for creating self-sufficiency through the encouragement of home simplifying the everyday tasks and bringing bionic design. Its noise cancellation feature reverse charging. gardening of vegetables. The programme which involves the peace and serenity for the busy lives. We are allows users to connect with conference calls Huawei Nova 7i and Huawei FreeBuds 3 distribution of free vegetable seeds, shares the vision of Sri on course for the exact purpose.’’ without moving in search of a silent place. are available to purchase at all Huawei Lanka, in aiming to achieve prosperity through expanding and commented Huawei Devices, Sri Lanka Its top notch audio processor delivers precise Experience shops, Singer outlets and are promoting home gardening in urban and semi urban areas. Country Head Peter Liu. environment noise reduction which enables available to order from Daraz.lk. Thus, with each delivery order made via Pizza Hut’s signature hotline 0112729729 or www.pizzahut.lk, a packet of seeds would be handed over to our customers on request to help them create their own home garden. “Aswedduma reflects our long-term vision for our community, representing a healthier, happier and prosperous Cannes Lions announces the agenda for LIONS Live future. This is a reflection of our commitment and dedication to encourage home gardening and the consumption of organic Cannes Lions has announced the details and what it takes to be successful in the Vice Chair, Chelsea Clinton. Together they’ll vegetables,” said Gamma Pizzakraft Lanka (Pvt) Ltd CEO Yasa of the agenda for LIONS Live, the new digital wider world of creativity. Director, creative discuss the ways that creativity and Nadaraja. experience taking place from 22-26 June. and host, Jonathan Hyla will interview some technology are intersecting to bring about Six varieties of seeds will be available including leeks, Available to watch for free, from any famous faces about their creative change and the importance of educating cabbage, chilli, tomato, capsicum and knol khol. Each seed screen, anywhere in the world, LIONS Live inspirations, career paths and future and inspiring the next generation by packet bears a QR code which leads to a web page that you will be broadcast from a London studio and outlook for 2020 and beyond. Guests providing them with the technology and could easily refer to for instructions on planting and nurturing anchored by BBC journalist and presenter, include Wyclef Jean, Emily Ratajkowski, resources they need to take action. these seeds. Tina Daheley. A-Rod, Anupam Kehr and Basketmouth. Giving a window into the Cannes Lions Gamma Pizzakraft Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, Director Human Speaking about LIONS Live, Cannes Lions The LIONS Live agenda will tackle the jury rooms, Cannes Lions Managing Resources Kaushal Mendis further mentioned “Over the Vice President (VP) of Content, Charlotte eight themes identified for the Cannes Lions Director, Simon Cook will be joined by the recent years there has been a growing interest to strengthen Williams said, “We’ve taken the very best 2020 Festival some of which include 2020-2021 Jury Presidents who will share and intensify local food production through home gardening content elements of Cannes Lions; the ‘Storytelling at Scale’, ‘Creativity IS the their briefings ahead of time and deliver a to ensure nutritious and economical food supply to the provocative ideas, diverse speakers, global Business Growth Engine’ and ‘Let’s Get set of guiding principles for the entire households and for mental and physical well-being of the insights, debate and translated them into a Back to Brand’ Williams added. “LIONS Live industry for the first time - they will also people involved. Home gardening is brought under the curated digital experience. We’re working in will provide the space for the industry to discuss how their category is set to evolve in spotlight now where it has become a national priority where partnership with some of the most creative work things out together so these themes response to the wider world at present. as a nation Sri Lankans are focusing towards self-sufficiency. people on the planet and they’re producing will of course be cast in a new light given the Cook will be joined by Almap BBDO We as a responsible corporate, take immense pleasure and compelling content to a very high standard. effects of COVID-19 and Black Lives Chairman, Chief Creative Officer and pride in contributing to a national exercise which will pave These are storytellers from the best creative Matter.” Partner Luiz Sanches, adam&eveDDB Chief way for a brighter tomorrow for the next generation.’ agencies, production companies, In the CMO Spotlight series, sponsored by Creative Officer Richard Brim, Isobar Global Gamma Pizzakraft Lanka (Pvt) Ltd envisions the entertainment companies, content creators The Economist, leading CMOs will divulge Chief Creative Officer Ronald Ng, FCB participation of the customers of Pizza Hut Sri Lanka and and platforms.” what they’re focusing on now, how they’re Global Chief Creative Officer Susan Credle their very own employees with the aim of achieving In the LIONS Live debate, Cannes Lions managing remote leadership in lockdown and North America, Pernod Ricard sustainable success with this initiative. Chairman, Philip Thomas will bring together and whether the world of marketing will Chairman and CEO Ann Mukherjee. five industry leaders from across the globe really change forever. Names confirmed LIONS Live have partnered with Google to to discuss how the industry will emerge include, Endeavour-Bozoma Saint John, live-stream content through YouTube, with from the crises of both COVID-19 and its dentsu mcgarrybowen-Merlee Cruz-Jayme, all content also being available on demand economic fall-out as well as the challenges AB InBev-Pedro Earp, HSBC-Leanne through the LIONS Live platform. Other of representation and equality thrown into Cutts,TikTok-Katie Riccio Puris and initiatives to support the creative the spotlight by the recent ‘Black Lives Beiersdorf-Asim Naseer. community will run throughout the week Matter’ protests. Thomas will be joined by Also on the agenda, Unilever’s newly- including access to a host of whitepapers, Droga5, Founder and Creative Chairman appointed Chief Digital and Marketing creative resources and online courses, and David Droga, Google Chief Marketing Officer Officer, Conny Braams, gives her first complimentary access to The Work - the (CMO) Lorraine Twohill, Translation address to the creative community and subscription only archive of more than Founder/CEO Steve Stoute, WPP Chief VICE TV will present No Mercy, No Malice 200,000 Lions campaigns and 1,600 Executive Officer Mark Read and Dentsu with Professor Scott Galloway. Festival talks. Aegis Network Global CEO-Creative and In an important keynote, IBM Senior Vice People from over 100 countries have Isobar Global Executive Chairman Jean Lin. President, Cognitive Applications, already registered their interest for LIONS The ‘At Home With. . .’ series will explore Blockchain and Ecosystems Bob Lord, will Live. Registration is available at https://bit. narratives around inspiration, motivations be in conversation with Clinton Foundation ly/2YAhpnh. sports thursday 18 june 2020 A15 Bayern win eighth straight Bundesliga

Paderborn relegated Robert Lewandowski (L) chests the ball down before volleying the winner

Bayern Munich were crowned A deft chip over the Bremen defence "There was always a little bit season, but the 25th of his career impressive as Gladbach eased to Bundesliga champions on Tuesday for from Jerome Boateng was chested missing in our game", said Paderborn which he has scored as a substitute. victory without injured French an eighth straight season as Robert down and volleyed home by captain Christian Strohdiek. Earlier, Borussia forwards Marcus Thuram and Lewandowski's volley secured a 1-0 Lewandowski, who claimed his 31st "When the disappointment fades, Moenchengladbach stayed in the hunt Alassane Plea. win at Werder Bremen, while league goal this season and his 46th we can simply be proud of what we for a Champions League berth with an Gladbach moved back into the Paderborn were relegated from the top in all competitions, shortly before have achieved in the last few years," emphatic 3-0 home win over fourth and final Champions League flight in Berlin. Bayern picked up half-time. But Bayern endured a added Strohdiek after Paderborn had Wolfsburg as midfielder Jonas spot, two points ahead of Bayer their eighth consecutive win since the nervy finale after teenage left-back earned back-to-back promotions in Hofmann scored twice. Leverkusen, who host Cologne on Bundesliga resumed in mid-May Alphonso Davies was sent off 11 the previous seasons. After consecutive defeats by Wednesday in their game in hand. behind closed doors due to the minutes before the final whistle for a Union's win in Berlin means they Freiburg and Bayern, Gladbach raced Bayern and Borussia Dortmund coronavirus, as coach Hansi Flick second yellow card. are guaranteed a second Bundesliga into a two-goal lead after half an hour have already qualified for next won the league title in his first season He was lucky to avoid a straight red season having come up for the first at Borussia Park. season's group stage, while RB Leipzig in charge. after a kick on Leonardo Bittencourt time in 2018/19. Hofmann scored twice before sit third, five points clear of "Compliments to the team; it is which earned him his first yellow on Germany international Lars Stindl Leverkusen. sensational what we have achieved in 19 minutes. The result keeps Werder Gladbach hunt Champions League swept a third into the net following a The defeat leaves Wolfsburg sixth, the past few months," said Flick Bremen second-from-bottom with just second-half counter-attack. which carries a Europa League place whose side have won all of their last two games left to avoid dropping down Seventh-placed Freiburg stayed in "We scored three goals, didn't next season. 14 games. to the second-tier for the first time the hunt for a Europa League place concede and picked up three points Gladbach face Paderborn on "Today there is no criticism; you since 1980. next season after replacement striker with an ambitious performance in Saturday, then mid-table Hertha have to emphasise the way the players Bottom side Paderborn had their Nils Petersen came off the bench to difficult conditions, so I am happy Berlin on the final day of the season, have done it. relegation confirmed with a 1-0 defeat net the winning goal and seal a 2-1 with that," said Gladbach head coach while Leverkusen face Hertha and "Player, coach and team have at Union Berlin after an own goal from win at home to Hertha Berlin. Marco Rose. Mainz in their last two games. simply been one unit." the visitors by Ben Zolinski. It was Petersen's 11th goal of the The result was all the more (Agencies)

‘I’m not Yao Ming’ China's first UFC champ Zhang creates own hype

Zhang Weili retained her UFC title in The 30-year-old Zhang, who as a March in one of the greatest women's child was challenged by her mother to fights in MMA history, was then jump out of ditches to toughen her up, stranded in the United States for six has enjoyed a life-changing 10 months. weeks by coronavirus and finally flew Last August she thrilled a home back to China in a protective suit and crowd in Shenzhen with an upset visor. But after all that, it was the sight knockout of UFC champion Jessica of airport and medical staff with Andrade of Brazil in just 42 seconds to ‘welcome home’ scribbled on their own make Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) history. protective gear to greet arriving Zhang then successfully defended the passengers that deeply affected her. strawweight title in a brutal dust-up in Lionel Messi was fouled by Unai Bustinza during the first half of Barcelona’s "I was really touched and excited, I've Las Vegas in early March against 2-0 win at Camp Nou on Tuesday never felt such warmth in all my life," Poland's Joanna Jedrzejczyk, despite China's first and only Ultimate Fighting her build-up being badly disrupted by Zhang Weili unleashes a knee on her way Championship (UFC) champion told the coronavirus outbreak. to a 42-second KO of UFC champion AFP in Shanghai. (Agencies) Jessica Andrade in Shenzhen last year Barca cruise

Ahead of West Indies Tests past Leganes Bairstow eyes Turn up heat on Real Madrid Lionel Messi was rugby tackled Valencia will be a more and then scored a penalty as thorough examination of Madrid's wicketkeeper role Barcelona put the pressure back sharpness after the three-month Jonny Bairstow believes he can regain his role as on Real Madrid by easing to a 2-0 break and Barca can expect England's Test wicketkeeper as players prepare to go head- victory over Leganes at an empty tougher tests to come than to-head for a place in the side to face the West Indies. Camp Nou on Tuesday. Leganes too, starting with a trip to England are gearing up for a three-Test series against the Messi was hauled to the ground third-placed Sevilla on Friday. Caribbean side next month that will mark the return of in the first half by a diving Unai Setien will hope Gerard Pique international cricket after the coronavirus shutdown. Bustinza wrapping two arms recovers from a nasty challenge With no first-class matches in the run-up to the series, around his waist and he was that means he will need stitches they will use warm-up games at Southampton, the venue knocked over again in the second, in his shin. "It split his shinpad," for the first Test, starting on 8 July, to assess players' form. Jurgen Klopp this time earning a penalty, which said Setien. "We hope it's not Bairstow was dropped from last year's tour of New he converted. After 33 serious." Zealand, with England Selection Chief Ed Smith indicating Klopp urges Liverpool fans appearances, Messi now has 26 Leganes have dropped to the his international future was as a specialist batsman. goals this season. In his last eight bottom of the table and look He played just one Test in South Africa in December and games, he has seven goals and doomed to relegation, their was rested from the tour of Sri Lanka, with long-time rival Cheer us to the eight assists. The 17-year-old chances of survival damaged by wicketkeeper Jos Buttler and gloveman Ben Foakes Ansu Fati had earlier given Barcelona snatching away their selected instead, before the coronavirus cut short that trip Barcelona the lead, continuing top scorer Martin Braithwaite as in March. title from home his breakthrough season with a an emergency signing in (Agencies) fifth goal in eight league starts. February. Leganes were not alone Jurgen Klopp has told Liverpool fans to cheer his team Leganes could have made the in feeling the rule had hurt them to Premier League glory from their homes as the runaway reigning champions feel disproportionately and their sense leaders prepare for the season to restart. uncomfortable if Miguel-Angel of injustice might have been Klopp's side were two victories from winning Liverpool's Guerrero had taken either of two deepened by the fact Braithwaite first English title in 30 years when the coronavirus golden early opportunities, but was left on the bench for the pandemic forced the postponement of the season in the first was cleared off the line entire 90 minutes. March. Liverpool will finally be back in action on Sunday and the second denied by the Wasteful Guerrero when they face Merseyside rivals Everton at Goodison post. Barcelona controlled possession Park in a match that could serve as their title clincher. "We had a bit of luck at the in the first half but created little, If second-placed Manchester City lose at home to beginning," admitted Barca coach and would have been behind early Arsenal on Wednesday, then Liverpool need only to beat Quique Setien. on if Guerrero had been more Everton to secure the club's 19th league title with eight But his team's reward for a precise. games to spare. rather underwhelming First, Javier Eraso sprinted Aware that fans will be eager to celebrate their long- performance is a five-point clear and despite taking too long awaited triumph, Liverpool boss Klopp has urged them not advantage over Madrid, who can to shoot, the ball spilled out for to break social-distancing rules by gathering outside reduce that back to two by Guerrero, whose drive hit the foot Goodison Park or Anfield. winning at home to Valencia on of Clement Lenglet on the line. (Agencies) Thursday. (Agencies) A16 thursday 18 june 2020 sports Need to change how we look at Test Cricket Former Sri Lanka cap- SLB on look-out tain Kumar Sangakkara – Sanga believes that there is a you are going to market it need to stop treating to an American or some- Test cricket as a ‘cash one who has not been cow’, and the Boards involved in the game. for new coach should continue to Rather than trying to invest in the format irre- change their sense of Test Following former Indonesian as an interim measure, until such knowledge of the latest Badminton spective of whether it is cricket maybe we need to coach Tony Wahyudi’s departure at time we appoint a qualified standards worldwide, and the resulting in financial change how we look at the end of his contract, Sri Lanka International Coach.” qualities of a mentor who can returns or not. Test cricket. Not everyone Badminton (SLB) are on the look- All Coaches who have Level I, II, oversee player development long Speaking to former is going to have an iconic out for a suitable replacement. As III or 1V Certification are invited to term. England captain Michael Atherton series like the Ashes with full an interim measure SLB has apply on or before 25 June, after While SLB intends to recruit a in a video uploaded on Sky Sports crowd,” he said. decided to seek the services of a which SLB hopes to conduct coach of International Stature, it Cricket Youtube Channel, “Talk about how to build up the National Coach from among local interviews and announce the name foresees that a chosen local Sangakkara said that there is a rivalries. Then what about candidates until such time they can of the successful candidate/s by 1 candidate/s will work closely with a need worldwide to change the per- Afghanistan and Zimbabwe and find an International Coach of July in readiness for resumption of foreign coach to help develop a ception about the format. Ireland now – and Bangladesh repute. CEO of SLB Trevor National Pool Training. squad that can aspire to top level “If you are going to treat Test who are the team on the rise - but Reckerman said: “We are on the Other than the prerequisite international rankings over the cricket as a cash cow I don’t think in the shorter formats,” he added. look out for a qualified National certification, SLB is looking for a next few years. it is ever going to work. It’s not “So what are we going to do Coach from among local candidates candidate who has an intimate (MS) going to make financial sense,” about that? Are we going to forget the former left-handed batsman about that? Two-tier Test cricket – said. The International Cricket Test Championships – just do Council (ICC), last year, came up whatever it takes, but if that with World Test Championship to doesn’t work, sustain it. Put in the rejuvenate the longest format in money,” he further said. Return-to-training-and-play plans the era of T20s. Sangakkara, who The inaugural World Test currently holds the position of Championship, which began in Marylebone Cricket Club 2019 is originally slated to end CSA to introduce experimental format (MCC) President, believes that sus- with the final at Lord’s in 2021. taining such tournaments could But with coronavirus tearing the Cricket South Africa (CSA) South African rugby captain be a difficult task, but it must be cricket calendar to shreds, there is has combined its return-to- who has also headed up done to ensure Test cricket a chance that the tournament training-and-play plans Varsity Sport. remains alive. might be restructured and with an exhibition event in South Africa cricketers “Sometimes Test cricket isn’t rescheduled. collaboration with a new have not trained in groups going to make sporting sense if (Agencies) company, 3TeamCricket, since 26 March, when the which aims to introduce an nationwide lockdown was experimental format. The announced. For the first 35 showpiece will feature three days of the lockdown, no teams of eight players each outdoor exercise was - Kingfishers, Hawks and permitted and players were PDC T10 heralds Eagles - who will all play required to maintain fitness against each other in the levels through individual same match for the programmes at home. Since return of cricket in SL Solidarity Cup. AB de then, some activity has been Several Sri Lankan players will stage will be played in the round- Villiers, Quinton de allowed, at first during a return to playing cricket after the robin league format, which will be Kock and Kagiso window between 6.00 a.m. Covid-19 pandemic when the followed by the qualifiers and Rabada will captain the and 9.00 a.m. Currently, PDC (Puttalam District Cricket eliminator games, before the all- three teams. non-contact sports’ training Association) T10 league starts on important final. The tournament No players will be is allowed, but 25 June. The 12-day-long tourna- shall be preceded by a jersey compelled to participate in ment will be played at the historic launch event. the one-off event that will and world heritage site Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, be held on 27 Anuradhapura, and will comprise Sri Lanka has lost out on hosting June at former cricketers including the a couple of high-profile cricket SuperSport likes of Ajantha Mendis, Chamara series. In March, England’s two- Park. Dale Silva, Nuwan Kulasekara, Asela Test tour was postponed after the Steyn, for one, Gunarathna, Dhammika Prasad, ECB requested for it due to the will not be Sachithra Senanayake, Chamara growing threat of the virus. Last available for the Kapugedra, Thilan Thushara and week, India’s tour was also called event. provincial borders remain to consume the game we all Ishara Amerasinghe as confirmed off, an assignment that should 3TeamCricket closed. That means CSA has love,” Smith said. “I know players. The names of more play- have seen India playing three (3TC) is a joint- been unable to have any of that the players are itching ers are expected to be revealed ODIs and three T20Is starting venture by the its planned winter training to get back into action as soon. The tournament will include June end. former CEO of camps. well, which is why we as a total of eight teams, namely - Earlier this month, a group of FirstRand bank, The Board’s Director of CSA are so excited about Hurricane Blasters, Spartan 13 Sri Lankan cricketers - com- Paul Harris - who is Cricket, Graeme Smith, said the Solidarity Cup. Heroes, Power Gladiators, Chilaw prising mostly bowlers - resumed now involved in a the players would definitely “It’s a thrilling new format Warriors, Puttalam Stars, Global training. The coaching and sup- mobile data company be keen to take the field and a match that is working Riders, Royal Lions and Giant port staff overseeing the training RAIN - well-known once again. towards a greater good. We Legends. The teams will be divided of the players consisted of a four- cricket “It’s been quite some time are proud to partner with into two groups, with each team member unit and all players commentator Mark since the South African 3TeamCricket on this playing a total of nine group strictly adhered to health regula- Nicholas and Francois public and fans of cricket project.” games and one against a team tions imposed by the Government. Pienaar, the former worldwide have been able (ESPN) from the other group. The group (Agencies) World’s fastest man receives provisional suspension Coleman accuses Anti-doping agents of setting deliberate trap

By Anjana Kaluarachchi forward simple process, which it organisation was to keep the sport should be and how I would hope it to clean by testing everyone and catch- The world’s fastest man in 2019, be. The AIU has to stop playing man. ing cheaters. Not attempt to catch 100m World Champion Christian 2 days later they came back to test me people when they’re not home and Coleman, has received a provisional and followed the normal protocol and make no attempt to actually test them suspension due to whereabouts viola- called and of course there were no and mess with the livelihoods of peo- tion, Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) issues with my test. And I’ve been ple who are clearly not doping. This confirmed on Wednesday. tested multiple times since, even dur- isn’t justice for anybody. Not me, not Coleman who clocked 9.76 seconds ing quarantine. But of course that them, not the sport, who wins here? in Doha, Qatar last year, faces the doesn’t matter, and the fact that I And the consequences are huge...they prospect of missing next year’s Tokyo have never taken drugs doesn’t matter are messing with my opportunity to Olympics now due to the incident, either. build generational wealth. Unlike where he denied any violation and The December 9th attempted drug- other sports leagues, there is no face accused Anti-doping agents of setting test is the third infraction in a card who makes these decisions and a trap. 12-month period. The other two are a has to stand on this nonsense. Only Prior to the 2019 World missed test on 16 January 2019 and my reputation takes a hit and I don’t Championship Coleman faced a simi- a filing failure on 26 April 2019. I take even know who has the final say. The lar violation but escaped suspension responsibility for missing the USADA organisation just looks as if they’re based on a technicality. agent on 16 January 2019 because I doing their job but they’re not... A day before (on Tuesday) the was at the weight room in the morn- Why has this happened to so many 24-year-old issued a lengthy state- ing. But I think the attempt on 9 other people with no explanation to ment explaining what went through December was a purposeful attempt the fans? No explanation on the rules the process. to get me to miss a test. As an athlete or the process or what really happens. This is the second high profile Christian Coleman (L) beat Usain Bolt in his last 100m race in 2017 World Championship and role model, it is my responsibility They just hang athletes out to dry whereabouts violation provisional to be honest and transparent with the over some paperwork (filing failure)... suspension within last month. Earlier the AIU came to a decision that I’ve December 10th, 2019 by the AIU fans, supporters and track communi- paper work! The sport is in trouble Bahrain’s World 400m Champion been appealing for 6 months that I when I got this failed attempt report ty. I wanted to use this platform to and needs some sort of reform. I was Salwa Eid Naser too received a provi- missed a test on 9 December 2019. out of nowhere. I was completely una- share the facts, answer any questions quiet last time but I’m not about to let sional suspension for missing three And now this might result in me ware anybody tried to test me the day and express my concern for this my rep take a hit again for literally no whereabouts violations in 2019. being suspended from other filing fail- before. I posted a picture of the report whereabouts system. reason. I have no idea what I could’ve According to the world anti-doping ures that occurred well over a year for you all to see. Please read what the Last year I publicly addressed my done to avoid this but my parents did law any combination of three wherea- ago at this point. Don’t tell me I DCO wrote in the comments. I’ve been stance on clean sport when I was get me a Ring Doorbell camera for bouts failures (filing failure and/or ‘missed’ a test if you sneak up on my contacted by phone literally every dealing with USADA when they Christmas so that should nip all and missed test) within a period of 12 door (parked outside the gate and other time I’ve been tested. Literally. I wrongly charged me with missing 3 any miscommunication in the bud! Id. months constitutes an anti-doping walked through...there’s no record of don’t know why this time was differ- tests. And today, nothing has It’s crazy I even have to make this rule violation and should lead to a anyone coming to my place) without ent. He even said he couldn’t hear the changed. I have never and will never kind of post instead of USADA, the provisional suspension, and then an my knowledge. doorbell so why wouldn’t you call me? use performance enhancing supple- AIU and USATF just standing with Inquiry Committee should decide fur- Knocked while I was Christmas Why would the AIU tell him not to ments or drugs. I am willing to take a me. Someone who is a huge part of ther action. shopping 5 mins away at the mall (I contact me? He put down the wrong drug test EVERY single day for the the sport and also someone who Sanction for violation is two years have receipts and bank statements) address btw so who knows if he even rest of my career for all I care to prove wants the sport to be as clean and ineligibility subject to a reduction to a and didn’t even bother to call me or came to my spot. my innocence. I have nothing to hide popular as possible. I get tested so minimum of one year depending on attempt to reach me. I was more than That night I have multiple receipts but it’s not possible to show that if I’m much, blood and urine, and they can the athlete’s degree of fault. ready and available for testing and if I of going shopping then getting food not even given a chance to do so. I am look at my numbers and see I’ve been Full Statement by Coleman had received a phone call I could’ve and coming back during this time so I committed to the fight for clean spot. I consistent since I entered the testing To my fans, followers, supporters taken the drug test and carried on don’t think he stayed for an hour and support USADA, WADA and the AIU pool in 2015. If someone is cheating and fellow athletes - I want to make with my night. why would AIU tell him not to call to keep athletes and competition then just say that but if someone is you all aware of a situation I’m cur- I was only made aware of this me?! But then I get condemned by the clean and fair. But the system must clearly not then come out and say rently dealing with. A few days ago, attempted drug test the next day on fans because they think it’s a straight change. I thought the point of the that too.

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